The First 50 Years of the Aspley Rugby League Football Club 1 August 2017

THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF
THE ASPLEY
RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB
1968 - 2017
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY BRIAN DARBEN
OCTOBER 2017
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*Care has been taken to ensure that information contained within this publication is true and correct at the time of
publication. A regular update will be done as required with any changes to be notified in writing to the club.

Image below: Framed 2017 Jersey – Presented to Club President Stephen Buckley
Signed NRL players – all former Aspley RLFC Juniors.
Brad Thorn David Shillington David Stagg Jayden Nikorima
Ash Harrison Josh McGuire Sam Kasiano
Kurt Baptise Dale Copley Kodi Nikorima
Dylan Napa Jason Bukuya Francis Molo
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 - Build It and They’ll Come 2
Chapter 2 - The 1970’s – Building for the Future 5
Chapter 3 - The 1980’s – A Decade of Change 9
Charter 4 - The Aspley Leagues Club 13
Chapter 5 - Club Traditions 19
Chapter 6 - The 1990’s – At the Top! 23
Chapter 7 - Towards 2007 and 40 Years 28
Chapter 8 - The Fifth Decade 2008-2017 35
Chapter 9 - Heroes Past and Present 39
Appendix A 43
Appendix B 46
Image below from club archive – Early in 1970's.
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CHAPTER 1 - BUILD IT AND THEY’LL COME
2017 marks the 50 th Season Anniversary of the Aspley Rugby League Football Club. From its
humble beginnings, the club has gone on to be one of the largest and most successful clubs in
Queensland. Supported by an equally successful and progressive Leagues Club and generous
sponsors, the club is served by three full-time Administrative staff, a grounds person, and
approximately 200 hard-working volunteers.
The journey of 50 years from 1968 has been a remarkable one.
It started before 1968, because Novar Newton recalls that Rex Dannenberg had kicked around
the idea of a Junior Rugby League club in the Aspley area for some time. Novar, Rex and Jack
Gleadhill had all attended Nundah State School and Novar and Rex had played for Northern
Suburbs, better known as Norths, after they left school, while Jack had managed several junior
teams.
Albert Bishop, Norths iconic committee man over many years, had realised the potential of the
rapidly growing areas of Aspley and Zillmere for the development of Junior Rugby League and
urged Rex to mobilise some mates and get a Football Club up and running. His vision was the
development of a satellite club that would not only give the local kids the chance to play the
greatest game of all, but also to develop junior footballers who would ultimately become
potential senior players for the Devils. No doubt the idea was debated over many beers at the
Aspley Hotel, or the Old Maids as it was universally known in those days. Even allowing for some
dutch courage, however, the task must have appeared daunting. Rex and his mates may have
had some optimism and enthusiasm but beyond those intangibles, they had nothing with which
to start a Football Club – no players, no ground, no clubhouse, no jerseys or equipment and no
money.
Nevertheless, they decided to have a go.
In 1967, the Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club stood where it is today but it was known as the Hole in
the Wall and operated in a weatherboard building that looked like an old School of Arts. It was
here that Aspley’s founding fathers had their first official meeting. About ten people attended
including Rex Dannenberg, Novar Newton, Des Rose, Don Ritchie, Jack Gleadhill, Marilyn Drew,
and Warren Wendt. Subsequently, the North Aspley Rugby League Football Club was born and
Rex Dannenberg was voted its first President. Des Rose was appointed as secretary and Novar
Newton as Treasurer. The first step in a journey of a thousand miles had been taken.
Step 2 was to gather together some players. Rex Dannenberg was a printer employed by the
local newspaper of those days, The Nundah Express, so it wasn’t too difficult to print off and
distribute fliers calling upon parents of boys interested in playing Rugby League for a new local
club to attend a meeting to be held behind the Coles (later BiLo) building in Robinson Road.
As a result of this meeting and a word of mouth campaign, enough boys were recruited to field
four teams. The late Beryl Scamp recalled that Rex Dannenberg knocked on her door to ask her
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and husband Alan to get their sons, who had been playing for Norths to play for Aspley. Parent
club Norths also decided to send a team across to play under the new club’s banner and their
Under 13A team for 1968 played as Norths Aspley and were successful in winning the
premiership, the first of 73 which were to be claimed by the Golden Devils over the next 50
years.
Looking back, the challenges facing the Committee as it tried to get five teams onto the field for
the 1968 season were indeed daunting. With no ground of its own the new club had to find
somewhere to train and somewhere to play. Attempts to gain access to Aspley East State
School’s oval looked likely to be successful with Principal Brian McKenna supporting the idea.
Unfortunately, the Department of Education was not as community-minded then as it is now,
and permission was not given. Although it was not lit, Bowden Park at Geebung was negotiated
as the training field and home games were initially played at Kalinga Park where the Public
Service League games were later staged. Novar Newton remembers a cricket patch being in the
middle of Aspley’s field and “our duty each week was to cover the wicket with sawdust. Having
no canteen, we relied on the Golden Circle Cannery to provide one of their drink trailers”.
Apparently, the trailer was to move from one member’s place to another over a few years so
that nobody officially knew where it was and it subsequently remained with the club.
Before acquiring jerseys, club colours had to be chosen. Rex Dannenberg admits that the Nundah
State School connection was influential in the final decision to go with brown and gold,
coincidentally, the old Nundah colours. It seems there had been a preference for blue and gold
but these colours had already been adopted by Sandgate. With the colours decided, the more
difficult task of acquiring five sets of jerseys remained. In 1968, the late Bill Brown, famous
Australia opening batsman of the Bradman era, lived at Aspley and operated a sports store in
Queen Street in the City. Treasurer Novar Newton approached Bill Brown, explaining that the
new club needed five sets of jerseys but had virtually no money. Bill agreed to supply the jerseys,
shook hands and told Novar that the club could pay him when it was able to do so. Pat Buckley,
one of the club’s early property officers, recalls that Bill Brown remained a true friend of the club
over the years often allowing it to carry over accounts until the following season.
The original playing strip comprised a plain chocolate brown jersey with white collar and golden
devil emblem, white shorts and brown socks with a gold top. Those who pioneered the club were
united in the view that every boy in the area wishing to play Rugby League would be able to do
so regardless of family circumstances. To that end no fees were charged, jerseys were provided
and coaches, managers and supporters often picked players up and dropped them to games.
Following a tradition of parent club Norths, players kept their jerseys and socks at the end of
every season. This was probably good for the Property Officer who didn’t have to chase jerseys
at season’s end, but expensive in that new sets had to be purchased every year. To enable the
club to meet its commitments each of the five managers was given the responsibility of raising
the necessary funds for his team. This was done largely by running doubles and raffles.
General fundraising in 1968 was undertaken in a variety of ways. The balance sheet for that year
showed receipts of $2,332.29 with $665.40 of that amount coming from “chook raffles” at Coles
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in Robinson Road using a large chocolate wheel made by several of the members. Four raffles on
a Saturday morning was considered a very successful day, but at the end of the year a net profit
of about $480 was made by this means. Other sources of income included barbecues ($325.61),
Melbourne Cup activities ($220 net), proceeds from functions including one at Norths Old Boys
hall at Clayfield ($432), drink sales at Kalinga Park ($64 net) and a picture night ($42).
Membership fees for that year brought in $110.40. After paying expenses of $1,523.86, the club
had a balance to go forward to 1969 of $808.43, an amazing performance and a tribute to the
pioneer workers of the club.
The Golden Devils were also to have a successful year on field. The Under 13 team, which had
come across from Norths and which indeed played their first fixture against Redcliffe in a set of
jerseys borrowed from the Devils, was to win Aspley’s first premiership. The team was coached
by ex-Australian forward Mr Reg Kay and managed by Doug Drew.
1968 was also to be the beginnings of a tradition that has continued through 50 years, the
annual exchange with Wentworthville Rugby League Football Club. David Rose, the club’s first
secretary had come to Brisbane from Sydney to work at the Amoco Oil refinery. David had had a
connection with Wentworthville Club in Sydney and suggested an annual exchange between the
two clubs. In its foundation year, Aspley hosted Wentworthville’s F grade thus beginning an
ongoing tradition of friendship and sportsmanship between the clubs that exists to this day.
Successfully hosting Wenty was one more reason for the fledgling club to feel satisfied that their
first year had been a good one. With a premiership pennant on the yet to be built wall, money in
the bank and a hard-working group of volunteers, there was cause to be optimistic about 1969.
That optimism was to be converted into another year of solid achievement.
In its second year, Aspley fielded nine teams and won two premierships thanks to the 8B’s and
12C’s. Membership stood at 94 and as at 2016 the Leagues Club memberships reached a total of
19,373, with members paying a subscription of $2 per year. In presenting his Annual Statement
of Income and Expenditure, Novar Newton was pleased to point out that the club had a balance
at the end of 1969 of $2,499.17, “a considerable improvement on the $808.43 at the same time
last year.” He acknowledged the hard work of all managers, coaches and parents who so ably
supported all barbecues, raffles, chook wheels and other fundraising efforts throughout the year.
All teams had been asked to raise $100 towards club expenses and this was met and exceeded
by every team. Apart from team efforts, major fundraising sources included the “chook” wheel
(profit $709.41), Melbourne Cup activities ($244.10) and the canteen at Kalinga Park ($117.75). A
bottle drive had also raised $186.98 and the club was appealing for people to volunteer storage
space to expand the scope of this activity.
Even more exciting for the club as 1969 drew to a close were developments that would lead to
its having a home. Negotiations with the Council to lease the area in Kirby Road where the club is
now situated were by now well advanced with local Alderman Len Trezoma advocating on the
Club’s behalf. The prospect of the lease had in turn led to plans being drawn up in anticipation of
a clubhouse being built. A “new look” jersey was also proposed for the 1970 season, and Norths
Aspley looked forward to the seventies with confidence.
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CHAPTER 2 - THE 1970’S – BUILDING FOR THE
FUTURE
The early 70’s were defining years for the Norths Aspley Club. In its third year, 1970, Rex
Dannenberg, who had guided the Club through its first two years, was succeeded as
President by Bill McNamara, father of future Leagues Club CEO Tim. In that year the Council
granted a lease for the Kirby Road site and a playing field was developed. Work began on the
first clubhouse courtesy of a loan from Westpac (then known as the Bank of New South
Wales) which was repaid by 1973. On the field, the Club won four premierships in 1970,
becoming Club champions with most premierships in the minor competition.
Novar Newton describes the Kirby Road land in those days as a swampy paddock with a few
trees. He recalls a hut on the property occupied by a resident who did some shoe repairs on a
part time basis. Local Alderman Len Trezona had advocated a lease on the club’s behalf and
when a 25-year lease was granted, the Brisbane City Council gave further assistance by doing the
initial work in the preparation of the field. Subsequent working bees loosened the soil by
working in seed husks and eventually a satisfactory surface was obtained.
The Club was fortunate to have builders on its Committee and Bill Proctor and Harry Kirby were
to prove invaluable in providing advice and expertise and in saving the Club valuable dollars
through their ability to work at or get work done at “mates rates”. With a loan of $10,000 from
Westpac, work began on a clubhouse which occupied that part of today’s clubhouse closest to
the beer garden area. Italian sub-contractors were employed to put down the slab and much of
the blockwork was done by Marco Sclosa, a local and member for many years. Volunteers
assisted with some of the work including the securing of the roof. Incredibly the Club spent only
$8,000 of the $10,000 loan and the building was paid for by 1973.
Novar Newton recalls how the club acquired its first bar: “The original bar was a magnificent
timber one made of silky oak and other fine cabinet woods. By pure luck one of our early
members, Ted Ingram, was well-placed on the Vacuum Oil Company, then on the corner of
Adelaide and Creek Streets Brisbane. The building was to be refurbished and we were offered the
bar at no expense provided that we shifted it over the Easter break. With the good graces of Bill
Proctor, a builder and past President, we used his truck to lower the bar by rope and hard work (it
was actually a magnificent reception desk) from the fourth floor to the ground. Hard work
shifting that in two days and then storing it at Bill McNamara’s Nundah business until the Club
building was ready.”
One can only guess the number of beers that passed across that bar and the number of stories
told around it during its lifetime at the club.
Dressing rooms and storage areas were added to the playground side of the clubhouse in 1974-5,
a time of serious inflation which drove costs up. Treasure R.B. Warman again paid tribute to
Harry Kirby in enabling the Club to keep costs down. “For the partitions, we received quotes up to
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$1200. Harry (Uncle H) Kirby was able to do the job for $538 and the extension for the dressing
rooms for $3,929”. By 1977, however, it was obvious that major extensions were necessary if the
club was going to continue its growth. Club stalwart Brian Osborne was to produce ambitious
plans at cost and to eventually supervise the construction free of charge. With costs estimated at
approximately $150,000, the club was able to put up $51,000 from its general account and
obtained a bank overdraft of $99,000 provided that guarantors could be found for the loan. In
another great display of club loyalty 12 members guaranteed the loan, in some cases putting
their own homes at risk. The 12 guarantors were: Brian Osborne, James Langley, Ralph Granville,
Harold Cougan, Geoffrey Joyce, Ralph de Pasquale, Kyal Crouch, Ray Kelso, Alan Scamp, Pat
Buckley, Neil Phelan and Rex Dannenberg. Ultimately another $25,000 was required and in an
example of the friendship that had developed between the Aspley and Wentworthville clubs,
Wenty agreed to guarantee that further loan.
The new extension added a functions room to the existing club building and increased the floor
area from 450 m 2 to 1,120 m 2 . It was estimated that the new functions area could accommodate
upwards of 500 people and the club was fully carpeted and air-conditioned. Saturday morning
working bees were organised to upgrade the surrounds of the Club and to give the older part of
the building a facelift so that it might better complement the new. The extensions were formally
opened on 30 th September 1978.
In other developments in the area of facilities, lighting was supplied to Bowden Park in 1973-74
and in 1977-78 two fields were constructed at Grand Street, Bald Hills following the granting of a
seven-year lease. The club was to light these grounds and they were to become the main junior
training fields in the first half of the 80’s. By the end of the 70’s members of the Management
Committee were debating whether to build another clubhouse at Bald Hills, whether to add a
second story to the existing club building or whether to purchase freehold land to establish
another base. Enquiries were made as to the possibility of purchasing vacant land in Zillmere
Road, but the asking price was beyond the means of the Club.
The seventies was a period that was culturally quite different from today. In a world without
pokies, with very few clubs and with a relative absence of RID and RBT teams, pubs were kings
and were patronised by large crowds of drinkers, especially on Friday nights and Saturdays. They
provided environments in which raffles were popular with drinkers and profitable for promoters.
The Norths Aspley Rugby League Football Club’s workers took full advantage of the situation and
operated at a number of venues including the Aspley, the Homestead, the Bald Hills, the Ferny
Grove Tavern and the Waterloo. Over the years a legion of club-men helped the Club and
individual teams by doing their bit as raffle sellers, but old timers hail ticket sellers like Bill
Langley, Ray Kelso, Barry Ives, Harry Kirby and Keith Rolls as being stand-out performers. Novar
Newton remembers someone complaining to club stalwart and butcher Bill Langley about the
monotony of having meat trays as prizes week after week. Bill responded by raffling a tray of
sponge cakes and pineapples the following week. Legendary Homestead Hotel raffle man, Ray
Kelso, added variety to his raffles by having a live lamb as a prize on one occasion and a live pig
on another.
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Fundraising occurred at two levels with teams responsible for raising their own funds for things
like end of season functions, and the Club raising money for the general running and future
expansion of its operations. In addition to raffles, doubles, barbecues and increasingly bingo,
activities like lamington drives and bottle collections continued and Tim McNamara, Leagues
Club CEO in later years, remembers going door to door selling bottles of rosella jam kindly made
and donated by two lady supporters of the Club who lived at Chermside. Funds raised varied
significantly from team to team and in his President’s Report of 1976, Dick Linkins pointed to
another area of concern. After praising the efforts of Club fundraisers for their work “week in and
week out” he stated: “On the other hand, I am appalled at the attitude of coaches, managers and
parents generally, towards fundraising for the club. They seem to regard this as some sort of Club
rip-off. Their squandering of thousands of dollars on lavish trophies and other rewards and
entertainments could only be tolerated at Norths Aspley.”
As the 70’s progressed, the Club was to find the answer to its fundraising challenge in bingo.
From humble beginnings with games organised by Jack Gleadhill, the Club was to develop
arguably the most successful bingo promotion on the northside of the city. Pat Buckley admits
that he knew nothing about running bingo when he took over responsibility for it in 1974, but
under his leadership the bingo team which included people like Kev Toye and Bob Harriss at
different times was to convert the operation into a fundraising bonanza. In 1978 $52,500 was
transferred to the club from the Bingo account and in 1979 after a bingo transfer of $59,000,
President Ray Kelso stated: “What do you say to Pat Buckley and the Bingo Committee workers?
‘Thanks’ just does not seem enough.” Bingo was to remain the Club’s major source of income
until well after the introductions of poker machines in the 90’s.
In 1971, a Ladies’ Committee had been formed and Joan Buckley was elected as its first
President. The ladies gave great assistance in helping to organise functions and in fundraising.
Generally speaking, functions were held in the clubhouse wherever possible with teams able to
use it free of charge for fundraisers. The canteen was also allocated to teams on a monthly basis.
One of the best remembered functions of the 1970’s was a fundraiser for injured player Robert
Spencer. Robert had been a foundation player for Norths Aspley in 1968 but had transferred to
Norths in 1975. In 1976, he unfortunately broke his neck during a game and was subsequently
confined to a wheelchair. Undeterred, Robert returned to Norths Aspley as a coach and assisted
by former team mates Mick Byrne and Tony Kirkwood successfully coached a minor team. A
hugely successful benefit night was organised for Robert by Treasurer and Life Member Darby
Munro who had been Robert’s Team Manager in 1968.
On the football field, Norths Aspley was to win 11 premierships in the 70’s including four in 1970.
At that time, minor teams contested premierships as well as Juniors and in 1970 Norths Aspley
won grand finals in 7A’s, 7B’s, 9B’s and 13B’s, thereby claiming most wins in Minor League by a
BRL club. No pennants were won in 1971 while the 11B’s won a premiership in 1972. The 15A’s
were successful in 1973 with the 10A’s winning the last premiership before a four-year drought
in 1974. In that year Alan Jessop had been appointed Director of Coaches and Norths Aspley’s
Under 17 team played the Club’s first international when it hosted Linville, a team from New
Zealand. The Devils were successful in a hard-fought game refereed by Henry Albert representing
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Brisbane Rugby League. The U13Bs were also successful in 1974, with an undefeated record
through the Presidents Cup and Premiership.
In 1976 Norths Aspley fielded its first senior team in the U23 Division of the Brisbane Rugby
League’s sub-district competition, while in 1978 the Club was represented by a record 23 teams
including an Under 21 and an Under 23. No premierships were won but in the following year
with Bruce Warwick as Junior Coaching Director and Alan Jessop as Minor Coaching Director, the
Club was successful in winning the 9A’s, 13B’s, 14A’s and 15A’s. On a disappointing note, the
Club suffered a net loss of 56 players in 1979 and the number of teams dropped from 23 to 18.
1979 also saw the formation of the Aspley Rugby League Football Club.
At the end of the 1978 season, several of the Under 23 team had become too old to play for that
team but wished to stay together and to play under the Norths Aspley banner. The Club
somewhat reluctantly agreed to fielding a team in the Metropolitan Rugby League but ‘parent’
club Norths refused permission for the team to play as Norths Aspley or to use the Devils
emblem. Subsequently the team used the old-style jersey without an emblem and went under
the name of Aspley Rugby League Football Club. Under coach Michael Murphy the new team
raised sponsorships to keep the team going and were provided with some assistance including
permission to conduct raffles from Norths Aspley. The team played in the C grade competition
and finished in fourth place.
An extremely important development in 1979 was the decision by the Football Club to establish
a Leagues Club to take responsibility for some areas of administration, thus allowing the Football
Club more time to concentrate on its core business of Rugby League. The first complete decade
had been negotiated and its achievements were already impressive. Seven of the members who
had helped the Club achieve its successes had been honoured by being made Life Members. At
the end of the 70’s this select band included: Jack Gleadhill (1973), Harry Kirby (1975), Pat
Buckley (1976), Alan Scamp (1977) Darby Munro (1977), Rex Dannenberg (1978), and Neil Phelan
(1979).
Image below from club archive – 1976.
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CHAPTER 3 - THE 1980’S – A DECADE OF CHANGE
While the Club continued to make significant progress throughout the 80’s it also faced a
number of challenges which were only overcome by tenacity and co-operative effort. The decade
started well with the newly formed Aspley Leagues Club purchasing 19 hectares of freehold land
at Lacey Road and being successful in applying for a liquor licence for the Kirby Road premises in
1980. The same year, however, saw the club lose its rights to the profitable raffles at the Aspley
Hotel and problems occurring with the bingo roster. On the football field, the Club was to win
only seven premierships in the 80’s and more seriously, after fielding 23 teams in 1979, the Club
was able to field only nine teams in its twenty-first birthday year.
The granting of the liquor licence in 1981 brought to an end a colourful era in the Club’s history.
Given that a bar was one of the first items of furniture in the clubhouse and that Rugby League
supporters tend to be a thirsty lot, it was always going to be important to be able to sell alcohol
to football supporters and indeed to locals who appreciated a watering hole in their local area.
Throughout the 70’s the Club had operated its bar by acquiring permits which enabled it to
function in a very restricted manner. Bar trade was further limited by the necessity to close the
bar while bingo sessions were in progress. Takeaway sales were not allowed under the
conditions of the permit.
For a number of years, the bar was manned by volunteers. Bill Proctor remembers running the
bar one day when he was called away on another matter. Looking around for someone to take
his place, he eventually asked a member called Keith Rolls to take over. Keith went on to spend
many hours on both sides of the bar as well as becoming the Club’s longest serving president.
Another often-told story of the bar relates to the late Maurie Noonan who was one of the early
bar managers. Maurie lived very close to the club and on Friday nights would take home the bar
takings and cigarette stock for safe keeping. One night, the story goes, Maurie must have had a
change bag with a hole in it (or perhaps he had simply had a heavy night) because Saturday
morning saw a trial of coins and cigarettes leading from the Club to Maurie’s residence.
The establishment of the Leagues Club in 1979 and the subsequent gaining of a liquor licence
meant that trading hours could be extended and the bar operated on a fully professional basis by
the Leagues Club. The restricted area at Kirby Road and the closeness of neighbouring houses
made the development and improvement of facilities there an ongoing problem. The Club had
investigated the possibility of purchasing freehold land in other areas but costs had been beyond
their reach. Huttons, for example, had offered to sell 10 hectares of their property in Zillmere
Road for $900,000, a fortune in 1980. Provisional Chairman of the Leagues Club, Anthony Lalor,
investigated a property of 19 hectares in Lacey Road Carseldine that could be acquired for
$105,000. A joint meeting of the Football Club and Leagues Club decided to go ahead and buy
the land for development as a sporting complex. The land was never developed but its sale in
later years was to guarantee the Club’s financial future. The story of the Lacey Road land stands
as a tribute to the foresight and courage of the members of the committees of the Football Club
and Leagues Club at that time. Importantly, the land was bought with the development and
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expansion of the Football Club in mind and the Football Club transferred $32,000 to the Leagues
Club to assist with the purchase.
Things were going well but in 1981 retiring President Alan Scamp sounded a warning when he
noted: “We have become very complacent because of our income from Bingo, which has removed
a lot of the fundraising work normally carried out by the Committee, and whilst it is a good
position to be in, it does have the disadvantage of spoiling us by giving us things too easily … our
full potential will never be realised unless we get off our bottoms and work for it.”
Many people apparently took Alan’s advice because the Ladies Auxiliary was re-formed in 1982
and throughout the 80’s several activities were run to supplement the income from bingo.
Saturday night functions, fancy dress balls, movie nights and family disco nights were run by the
Leagues Club not only to raise funds but also to promote the social side of the Club as a meeting
place for its members. Interestingly, an approach was made to Driftwood Studios in 1984 to
produce and record a club song. Unfortunately to this point no club song has ever taken off.
Perhaps the low point of the 1980’s came in 1987 when a Club official misappropriated $27,000
of hard earned Club money. The offender was gaoled but no restitution was made and, coming
when it did at a time of falling player numbers, the incident was a blow to Club morale. With
bingo suspended for a period and the kitchen and canteen losing money, the Club was
temporarily down but quickly bounced back and was able to achieve good balances in 1988.
Facilities continued to be improved during the 80’s and as well as contributing towards the
purchase of the Lacey Road land in 1980, the Club invested in a second-hand bus which it hoped
could be brought up to a standard appropriate for transporting players to and from Bald Hills at
training times. In the following year, Club money was used to restore and fence the playground
facilities beside the Clubhouse and in 1982, long awaited renovations and alterations were
completed. As a result of this initiative, the dressing rooms, referee’s room, canteen, kitchen and
bars were upgraded and a glass façade to facilitate viewing from the bar area was installed at the
rear of the club building. A rear entry to the Members bar was built and the car park behind the
field gave easier access to the Clubhouse.
In 1984, a proposal to enclose the drain on the Western side of the field was costed at $44,000
and no action was taken. In the same year the Clubhouse was painted externally. In 1987-88 a
gym room was build and began operating and a time clock stand was built. A major upgrade to
the field’s lighting was undertaken in 1989 at a cost of $30,303.
Bingo again ensured the financial soundness of the Club in the 80’s. In 1980, no sign-on fees
were charged, there were no team levies and assistance was provided to struggling teams.
Thanks to a transfer of $52,000 from the Bingo account, the Football Club was also able to
advance $32,000 to the Leagues Club. Another $54,000 was transferred from the Bingo Account
to the Football Club in 1981. This was to be Pat Buckley’s final year as Mr Bingo but his efforts
had taken Aspley Bingo from very humble beginnings to one of the Northside’s major games.
Bingo takings declined in 1983 and 1984 but began to climb again under the stewardship of Jon
Cunningham from 1987. Jon had become promoter following the misappropriation of funds in
that year.
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1987 also saw the guarantors of the loan in 1978 released from their liability. The Club had a
good balance in 1988 and in 1989, despite having to upgrade the lighting at Kirby Road at a cost
of $30,303, and tractor repairs of $5,583, was able to invest $15,000 in an interest-bearing
deposit. In her Treasurer’s Report for 1989, Rozanne Tolhurst made a plea for the establishment
of a Building Fund to make things happen at Lacey Road. She concluded her report: “We own our
land: let’s do something now.”
In 1980, Norths Aspley fielded 14 teams from Under 7 to Under 17 with two teams turning out
for the Aspley Marlins in the Metropolitan League. Secretary Bob Smith was pleased to report
that for the first time in his long association with the Club there was an excess of coaching
applications instead of a shortage. He also pointed out that most of the 14 teams had played in
the top two divisions and that there had been practically no friction between teams and
management. No premierships were won in 1980, but in 1981 when the Club’s Under 18’s won
their grand final concern was expressed about what would happen to that team in the following
year when the Club could no long cater for them. It transpired that after an end of season trip to
Fiji, most of the team moved across to parent club Norths in 1982. In the following year there
was also a concern when a number of Club’s Under 17 team were “poached” by Valleys who
went on to win the premiership in that Division.
By 1983 the Club was back to fielding 18 teams including an Under 21 and Open team playing in
the BRL Sub-Districts competition. These teams superseded the Marlins teams which had played
as affiliates of the Club in the Metropolitan Competition in 1980 and 1981. Norths Aspley
claimed the Under 16 premiership in 1983 and 1984 and an Under 14 premiership in 1985. That
year saw another visit from Linwood (New Zealand) and the best crowd of the season witnessed
this Under 17 clash under the lights at Kirby Road. Aspley ran out winners 16-10 in a game
characterised by torrid defence by both sides.
Two premierships were won in 1986 when the Club fielded 12 teams and enjoyed premiership
success in the 11A and Under 14 divisions. In the following year, the Club could only field 11
teams and although three teams reached the semi-finals and one went on to the grand final, no
premierships were won. 1988 was the year of the Club’s 21 st Anniversary but player numbers
were at the lowest point for many years. Only nine teams took the field for Norths Aspley and
teams could not be fielded in Under 11 and Under 14. On a more positive note a “Return to
Aspley” function was held in February of that year and it was announced that an attempt would
be made to form a Norths Aspley Old Boys and Supporters Club. On the 21/2/1988, a preliminary
meeting was held and under the guidance of Rex Dannenberg a constitution was drawn up and
the Old Boys Club became a reality on 5/11/1988.
In 1989, Norths Aspley bounced back and player numbers almost doubled with 15 teams being
fielded. A change in BRL policy saw Under 11 teams eligible to play semi-finals but for the Club it
was the Under 14 team coached by Greg Higgins and managed by David Southby who broke the
premiership drought that went back to 1986. Norths Aspley had also performed extremely well
in mini and mod divisions where premierships were not contested. This boded well for the future
and the promise was to be realised in the next decade.
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Throughout the 80’s Norths Aspley’s relationship with “parent club” Norths continued in much
the same nominal way as it had in the 70’s. The devil emblem was a reminder of the link and
promising players keen to advance to senior BRL football saw Norths as a club to move to after
Norths Aspley. Marty Monaghan and Cameron Kelso were two Aspley products who went on to
play in Norths A grade teams. Meetings of affiliated clubs also continued though Norths
apparently had little significant influence over affiliated clubs apart from their refusing to give
approval for Aspley senior teams to use the name Norths Aspley or use the devil logo when
playing in the Metropolitan League competition. Some members however, harboured fears that
the Club could be taken over by a body like Norths by “getting the numbers” at an AGM. This was
not a stated reason for forming the Leagues Club in 1979 but some of the Committee members
of the period will admit that it was a factor in the back of their minds.
The 80’s presented a number of challenges, not only for Norths Aspley but for Rugby League in
general. Indeed, Club President Keith Rolls made the observation in 1986 that “efforts should be
made to encourage more players to our club as football as a whole in this city is on the
downgrade.” Keith may or may not have been right in this assessment but his leadership and
commitment to the club earned him a Life Membership in 1983. Other Club stalwarts to be
acknowledged as Life Members in the 80’s included Ray Kelso (1980), Rob Harriss (1982), Bob
Smith (1985), Bob Durston (1987) and Warren Tolhurst (1988).
Image below from club archive – 1980’s
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CHARTER 4 - THE ASPLEY LEAGUES CLUB
From 1979 on the history of the Norths Aspley Rugby League Football Club became inextricably
entwined with that of the Aspley Leagues Club a body set up to complement the functioning of
the Football Club. Initially, the Leagues Club was to take responsibility for the running of issues
within the Clubhouse. These included, the operation of the bar, functions and entertainment and
attending to the breaches of discipline within the building and its immediate surrounds. The
Board of Directors was structured in such a way that the Football Management Committee
would have a controlling influence through its recommendation of six of the eight directors and
it was assumed from the early years that the main function of the Leagues Club would be to
facilitate the operation of the Football Club. Nobody in 1979 could have foreseen the spectacular
growth in numbers that would characterise the Leagues Club over the past 25 or so years nor the
accompanying tugs of loyalty that this growth has created. While the Football Club remains the
major destination of Leagues Club profits, the Board has had to recognize its obligation to 17,000
plus members at two locations, the majority of whom do not identify with the Football Club nor
even in many cases with Rugby League.
By 1979 it was obvious to many Football Club members that administrative changes had to be
made if the Club were to be able to concentrate on its core business of football for youngsters.
Anthony Lalor who was to be the first Chairman of Directors of the Aspley Leagues Club
estimated that “in 1979 the Management Committee of the Norths Aspley RLFC spent 90% of its
meetings running a Clubhouse and only 10% of its time was donated towards football.”
Throughout 1979 a sub-committee had operated, planning and drawing up a proposed
constitution for a Leagues Club to complement the Football Club. At a special meeting of the
Management Committee on August 8 1979 a provisional Board of Directors was elected to set up
and commence operations of the Aspley Leagues Club Limited. The Provisional Board was to
operate until the election of Board members in March 1980. The Provisional Board was made up
of the following Football Club members: Mr. A.J. Lalor (Chairman), Mr. R.G. Smith (Secretary),
Mr. R.D. Kelso, Mr. K.L. Rolls, Mr. A.G. Scamp, Mr. W.J. Langley, Mr. O.P. Buckley and Mr. B.G.
Osbourne.
The case for a Leagues Club was presented by Anthony Lalor towards the end of 1979 and
consisted of four main arguments. First, he argued that to apply for a liquor licence under the
Liquor Act the Club either had to drastically alter its constitution or form a separate body,
namely a Leagues Club, in the form of a limited liability company. A senior barrister contacted by
the sub-committee believed that it was more favourable to proceed by way of a company. In
Section 6 of the Memorandum of Association of the Leagues Club the liability of each member
was limited to four dollars. Under a club constitution should a club have to be wound up each
member was liable to his or her share of the indebtedness. The third argument related to the
ability to sue and be sued. For the Football Club to sue over a dishonoured cheque, for example,
the Club would have to involve each Club member as a plaintiff in a legal action. The Leagues
Club, however, being a company could sue in its own name. Finally, Mr. Lalor pointed out that
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ecause the Club was an affiliate of Norths, though the likelihood was remote, Norths could
commandeer funds from the Football Club at any time. This would not be possible in the case of
a Leagues Club since the Leagues Club was divorced from Norths in every way.
Given that the Norths Aspley RLFC held the lease over all of the property at Kirby Road, a sublease
of the clubhouse premises to the Leagues Club was necessary subject to approval by the
Brisbane City Council. The motion to approve the sub-lease was passed unanimously at a Special
General Meeting of the Norths Aspley RLFC on October 10 1979. Under the terms of the
agreement, in simple language the Leagues Club became responsible for the management of any
activity carried on inside the Clubhouse.
To ensure that the control of the Leagues Club remained in the hands of the Football Club the
original constitution stipulated that not less than six of the eight Directors should come from
representatives of the Management Committee of the Football Club with the other two being
elected by members. In 1982 this requirement was amended to read that “not less than six
members of the Management Committee of the Football Club or members of the Aspley Leagues
Club approved by a meeting of the Norths Aspley RLFC Management Committee at the time of
their election.” These qualifications were to be known as special qualifications and were to be a
powerful weapon in maintaining Football Club control of the Leagues Club. Under the current
constitution “The majority of the Board of Directors shall be approved by the Football Club and
may be removed by the Football Club.”
The newly formed Leagues Club saw the gaining of a liquor licence as its most urgent priority. Its
first request in 1980 was denied but learning from the experience the Leagues Club submitted a
much better case in its following submission and a licence was granted in 1981. Throughout the
80’s the Leagues Club made every effort to make meals available and to provide regular
entertainment but met with little success and lost many thousands of dollars in these areas. The
kitchen had been operated through leases and through a Club-employed chef but to no avail. In
the area of entertainment, it was agreed that the quality was tops but support was just not
forthcoming.
The most significant action of the Leagues Club in conjunction with the Football Club was the
purchase of 19 acres of freehold land at Lacey Road Carseldine. The purchase price of $105,000
was financed jointly by an advance from the Football Club and partly by a bank loan. It was
recognised that it would be many years before the land would be able to be developed as a
sporting complex but the prospect of re-establishing at Lacey Road remained a goal over the
years to come. Various suggestions as to what to do with the land in the interim were put
forward and these ranged from cutting down the timber and selling it, to developing a golf
driving-range, to establishing a caravan park and truck-stop. For a period, the land was leased for
the agistment of horses. In 1984 a Queensland Institute of Technology design student drew up
plans for the future development of the property as an assignment. Debate continued about
what best to do with the land and while this was happening its value continued to increase.
In the 1990’s several offers were made for the property but invariably they were rejected or
failed to materialise. In 1999 however a serious offer was made to purchase 13 hectares at a
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price of $3.6 million. After expenses of rezoning the land to residential and sport and recreation,
and a repayment to the bank of $900,000 on loans already secured, the Leagues Club looked
forward to being left with approximately $2 million and 6 hectares of rezoned land ready for
development. No money was to be seen, however, for 3½ years with that period being taken up
by meetings, studies, court cases and appeals. In 2000 an appeal against the sale of the land was
made on environmental grounds. It was argued that it was a natural habitat for numerous
squirrel gliders and that several trees were frequented by rare species of raptors. The matters
were finally settled and the sale went through in 2002, with the proceeds being placed in term
deposits having been stipulated as not for paying Kirby Road debts.
The supporters of resettlement at Lacey Road were hoping that a start could now be made on
developing the residual land but in the same year a further offer of $3.7 million for the remaining
6 hectares was made and the sale was approved at the next AGM. With significant funds
available for investment, the Leagues Club decided to increase its assets base and to develop a
cash flow to ensure the futures for itself and the Football Club. Subsequently, three commercial
properties were purchased at Toowong and Willawong. Returns from these commercial
properties in 2007 approximated $479,237 allowing, in the words of then Leagues Club CEO, Tim
McNamara, “the Club to guarantee the future funding of the Football Club whilst at the same
time freeing up the Club’s operating proceeds to be used for continued growth and returns to
members.”
In 1990 membership stood at only 295 and the Leagues Club desperately wanted to build on this
as the allocation of poker machines was likely to be a function of club membership numbers.
Extending social membership to prospective members at a reduced cost was a natural response
to this problem. Problems with the Council lease also meant that the car park had to be surfaced
and landscaping carried out. Major renovations to the Clubhouse had occurred in 1982 and
further renovations were made in 1994. In 1992 the Government allotted Aspley 10 poker
machines subsequently adding to these with two further allocations of 10 in each. In 1993 the
Leagues Club purchased the neighbouring property for $140,000 and added to this the purchase
of the general store in 2002 and the hairdressing property in 2003. The Leagues Club had long
realised that the one-time plan to add a second storey to the Clubhouse would not get Council
approval.
To a large degree the Leagues Club struggled in the 90’s despite the introduction of poker
machines. Running costs were high and the kitchen continued to make significant losses. The
problem was exacerbated in 1997 when the Queensland Government decided that clubs would
have to buy rather than lease their poker machines. At a cost of $12,000 to $14,500 each and a
life expectancy of four years clubs were looking at a new scenario. The acceptance of reciprocal
memberships had also made it difficult to attract members and in 1997 the Club had a
membership of 1,432. The period also saw some tension between the Football Club and the
Leagues Club with some Directors feeling that the Football Club did not appreciate the tough
times the Leagues Club was experiencing and members of the Football Club Committee feeling
that some Directors were not sufficiently attuned to the needs of the Football Club. Matters
came to a head with the election of Directors in 1998 when the Football Club declined to give
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etiring Leagues Club Secretary and Football Club Life Member, Pat Buckley, special qualifications
and successfully moved that the six Football Club nominees be appointed to the Board despite
five of them having received fewer votes than the former secretary. This action cause two
Directors not up for election, Graeme Browne and Brian Darben to resign in protest. In 1999 the
Board formulated a strategic plan and approved renovations which were to cost over $2 million.
A new constitution was adopted and specific targets included getting poker machine returns up
to a desired level and improving the aesthetics of the entrance, function and dining areas. In
2001 the bill for the renovations came in at $2,034,000 in return for a new lounge, restaurant,
TAB area, outdoor beer garden, entrance and reception area and an extended car park. Included
in the development were also the Bob Anderson Function Room and the Bert Meares bar named
for past Presidents of the Leagues Club who had died in previous years. 2002 was one of the
most successful in the Leagues Club’s history with a new catering system installed, bar prices
kept low and membership approaching 5,000. During the year Tim McNamara stood down as
Chairman of Directors and was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Over the
next five years he was to drive an amazing period of prosperity and growth.
In 2003 membership climbed to 7,800 and the Board adopted the mantra of “increasing revenue,
keeping costs down, collecting debts, and looking after valued customers and staff.” With profits
increasing $220,000 was made available to the Football Club in that year, further renovations
were undertaken and the restaurant was contracted out to Sunrise Restaurants with the Leagues
Club subsidising meals to club members. The year also saw the establishment of a Community
Benefit Fund, through which the Leagues Club could assist needy local charities and sporting
organisations. In 2005 membership passed 10,000 and gaming revenue was up by 46% with the
introduction of 22 new poker machines.
In 2005 membership passed 12,000 and the League’s Club investment assets totalled $8 million.
A proposal from the Pine Rivers Shire Council for the Club to run Club Bunya was accepted and
the Club was opened for business after refurbishment in September 2006. Aspley members had
automatic membership of the new club. Further renovations were carried out in 2006 but in his
Chairman’s Report of that year, Doug Hale, referring to the no smoking laws acknowledged that
“there has been a noticeable slowing of growth which indicates the volatile nature of the Club
industry.” He spoke of the need to enter a period of debt reduction and pointed out “your Club’s
major current expenditure is far and away Aspley Rugby League Football Club Inc, which currently
utilizes 32% of our net profits, making it the best funded junior sporting club in Queensland. While
the entire Board is supportive of the Football Club it is recognized that any further increase in
funding must be carefully considered in light of current returns to all 14,000 members.”
In 2007 Aspley membership stood at 12,574 and Bunya’s at 4.537. The Club was planning to
spend over $1 million refurbishing the main bar, sports bar and building a new restaurant bar in
2008. Further into the future the Club architect was preparing plans to relocate the Football Club
office and dressing rooms to the western side of the oval (subject to Council approval). It was
also reported that the Bunya Club no longer had to be subsidised and plans were under way to
extend the kitchen facilities there. It had also been decided to increase the Football Club’s grant
by $5,000 per month in 2008. The Sunrise Restaurant was catering for 5,500 members and non-
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members per month, with members’ meals being subsidised to the extent of $146,394 per year.
The Community Benefit Fund had distributed $92,962 to charities and sporting organisations
outside of the Football Club. Aspley High School alone benefitted from a grant of $5,000 to its
Chaplaincy Program and of $24,700 towards the installing of a sound system at its assembly hall.
Football, and in particular the operation of the Aspley Rugby League Football Club inc, however,
remained the Leagues Club’s major focus at this point. In 2007, the Leagues Club provided 52%
of the Football Clubs costs, an amount of $417, 509, representing 33% of its net profits. History
dictated that the Football Club could reasonably expect to share in the Leagues Clubs increasing
wealth into the future especially that derived from the investments of money derived from the
sale of Lacey Road. The Board was at pains to stress however that it had other financial
obligations to its members at Aspley and Bunya.
In September 2008, it was announced that Aspley Leagues Club had been the successful bidder
for the ill-fated Shawsportz Club at Zillmere Road Zillmere, which had been placed in the hands
of receivers. Aspley Leagues’ third licenced club presented it with new challenges and new
opportunities to continue its amazing growth.
The ten years leading to its 50 th anniversary of the Football Club were generally difficult ones for
the Leagues’ Club. While 2007 had seen an increase of 3,000 members at the two clubs and
increasing grants to the Football Club of $5,000 per month, the operating environment was to
become increasingly difficult. Strong competition, a Global Financial Crisis and changing
demographics combined to make the years challenging ones.
In 2008 the Leagues’ Club’s cash flow increased by $317,438 despite the costs of renovations and
upgrades and the purchase of the Zillmere and District Community Sports Club from Shawsportz
for $1.02 million. Grants to the Football Club amounted to almost $500,000 or 47% of the
Leagues’ Club’s net profit. Problems, however, began to intensify with the Global Financial Crisis
creating uncertainty which led to lower disposable incomes and rising interest rates. Water and
power costs also soared. At the end of 2009, CEO Tim McNamara stated, “May the best of 2009
be the worst of 2010”, his wish was not to be realised.
The Global Financial Crisis was not the Club’s only problem. It is located in an area of intense
competition from pubs and clubs within a five-kilometre radius. In order to match its
competitors, it must spend large sums to keep facilities up to date and attractive, causing outlays
to be continually rising. In 2011, for example, although revenues rose by 3.25%, expenses
increased by 10.4%. Some of the Club’s investments were also not as productive as had been
expected.
In 2011, incomes from the commercial properties purchased with the proceeds of the Lacey
Road land were down by about $85,000. The property at Garden Drive, Willawong had been
vacated and a suitable tenant could not be found. The property was subsequently sold as was
the Toowong property in 2013. Bunya was also becoming an increasing liability and when a
suitable buyer could not be found in 2016, it was decided to exit the Club rather than renew the
lease.
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In 2014 a Strategic Plan to operate over five years from 2015 was adopted. 2014 also saw the
resignation of CEO Tim McNamara and the subsequent appointment of Mark Newman as Club
Manager. Mark’s first 18 months were to witness a significant improvement in the Club’s bottom
line brought about by an aggressive gaming machine replacement program and significant cost
cutting. 2016, however, saw another reversal in the Club’s fortunes with consolidated profit
down by about $83,600, due mainly to disruption to its gaming and bar operations caused by
renovations, and to the edge given to competitors who were able to gain late night trading rights
a full 12 months ahead of Aspley.
As the Football Club celebrates its 50 th Anniversary, the Leagues’ Club turns 38. Despite the
challenges of an extremely competitive environment, changing demographics, and economic and
political factors beyond its control, the Club continues to fulfil its major objectives of supporting
the Football Club, improving the quality of services and facilities for its members, and
contributing to deserving community groups.
Image below: Aspley Leagues Club – 2017.
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CHAPTER 5 - CLUB TRADITIONS
Wenty Tour
The annual exchange with the Wentworthville United Junior Rugby League Football Club (the
Magpies) dates back to 1968 the first year of Norths Aspley. Des Rose, the Club’s first Secretary,
had come from Sydney to work at the Amoco refinery. Having been associated with the
Wentworthville Club, he suggested that a team from Wenty visit Aspley at the end of 1968 to
play the Club’s successful Under 13 team. The trip was arranged and developed into an annual
event, with each club hosting the other in alternate years, to play games between teams of
Under 13 and Under 14 years. Over time, the traditional game of Touch between supporters
preceded the Junior matches.
In 1968 Wenty’s “F grade” team and supporters travelled by train to South Brisbane station
where they were met by Aspley representatives and given some sandwiches before being taken
on a tour of the Gold Coast. Later they were taken to Aspley where the boys met with their
billets and went home with them. Many of the adult supporters were put up by Aspley
supporters and friendships were made which have endured over the 50 years of the exchanges.
Over the weekend the boys were entertained, as were the adults in the party who were
particularly taken by being treated to an Aspley and Queensland tradition, a keg set up on the
back of a ute. With Aspley having no ground in 1968, the match was played at Davies Park, with
the BRL’s top whistle-blower of the day, Henry Albert, officiating. Aspley prevailed on the day,
but more importantly a tradition had been set in motion that would continue down the years.
In 1969 Aspley made the trip to Wenty by bus. One can imagine the joys of travelling through the
night with a group of hyped up 13 and 14 year olds, but the supporters survived and enjoyed the
hospitality of the Wenty people and renewed friendships that had been made in the previous
year. On this occasion, the Wenty teams were successful and although honours were fairly
evenly shared through the 70’s, Wenty has been considerably more successful in the games over
the fifty years. Another tradition associated with the games was the naming of the best forward
and best back from each team as trophy winners. Over the years some great players have been
named as winners of one of these trophies including for Aspley, Brad Thorn as best forward in
the under 14 in 1989 and Ashley Harrison as best forward Under 14 in 1995.
The idea of playing both Under 13 and Under 14 teams each year was instituted to ensure that,
as they moved through the Club, boys would be guaranteed a trip away either as an Under 13 or
Under 14. As numbers grew with multiple teams in those age groups, Aspley adopted the
practice of giving preference to those boys who had been with the Club longest, often to those
who had played more than 100 games. Both clubs made sure that the visiting players and
supporters were treated to great hospitality over the weekend with matches traditionally being
played on the Monday.
Wherever possible, moneys for the trip were raised separately from normal Club funds
throughout the year and as air travel became the accepted means of transport, costs rose
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significantly. On some occasions Committee Members questioned whether, in difficult times, the
expenses involved with touring were justified but on every occasion, the Club decided to stick
with the tradition. In 2007, the 40 th anniversary of the first tour by Wenty, Aspley travelled south
with 46 players and officials and 60 supporters to celebrate an enduring tradition of
sportsmanship and friendship. To commemorate the anniversary both teams played in replicas
of the jerseys worn in 1968 and Aspley once again sported the plain chocolate brown with the
white collar and golden devil emblem. The pre-match Touch game saw Aspley once again
dudded by some questionable refereeing before losing by 1. The Under 13 match was a highquality
game with Aspley going down narrowly 16-12. The Under 14 game saw Aspley fading
after a strong start to eventually lose 37-16.
Socially the weekend was a memorable one. Aspley supporters included 1971-72-73 President,
Bill Proctor, a past player from Aspley’s first tour in 1969, veteran Wenty tourists and supporters
making the trip for the first time. On Saturday evening the anniversary of the friendship between
the two clubs was celebrated at a dinner at the Wentworthville Bowls Club, where Past-
Presidents Doug Hale and Peter Walker gave memorable addresses recalling the history of the
relationship and stressing their commitment to keeping the tradition going. Sunday night saw
many of the boys and the supporters at the NRL grand final with Monday being game day and
the trip home.
2017 saw the Wentworthville club host Aspley for the 50 th Anniversary Wenty Tour of ‘Friendship
& Frivolity”. The Aspley group with 37 players and officials and 75 supporters headed into this
year’s Annual ‘Wenty Tour’ with great enthusiasm as we celebrated the 50 th year of this event; a
milestone that both clubs are very proud to have achieved in this day and age. Aspley parents
and players settled into the billeting process with their assigned Wenty families on the Friday.
Saturday was the traditional outing for the players and staff & Wenty arranged an exciting
activity at the Aqua Cable Water Park located in Penrith for a chance for everyone to enjoy some
extreme fun on the cable wake boarding course & the boys got to put the inflatable obstacle
course to the test. The Toongabbie Sports and Bowls Club was the chosen venue for the Annual
Saturday night Dinner and it saw both clubs’, Committee, Supporters and Parents celebrate the
tour’s 50 th year, enjoying a tasty buffet dinner and live entertainment. Sunday night held an
opportunity for some families to take along their billeting Wenty player to attend the NRL Grand
Final between the Storm and Cowboys. With a lot of sore heads on Monday the supporters from
both Aspley and Wenty got together to play a touch game with Aspley winning by 1 point. On the
field our U13’s sqaud were just too good, winning 22- 18, but the U14 Wenty team was very
strong this year and the score ended up 34 - 16 but it was the boy’s experiences and friendships
the were made that shone through overall. A special mention to David (Davey) Baird, although
having to run out in a Wenty Jersey, he managed to score a fantastic try and came away with the
‘Player of the Match’ Award in an exhibition match organised by the Wenty Committee.
Fathers and Sons: Collins / McNamara / Francis / Hinze / Kellaway; these families have all played
in a ‘Wenty Tour’ & then had their sons continue the tradition.
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As a Football Club Aspley has developed many fine traditions, but few of them are as intrinsically
woven into its history as the Wenty connection. The tradition of ongoing sportsmanship,
friendship and rivalry seems set to continue well in to the future.
Image below from club archive: Wentworthville Tour 1969 - Aspley.
The Old Boys
During the 21 st birthday celebrations of the Club on February 6 1988 it was announced that an
attempt would be made to form an Old Boys Club, an idea that had been mooted by founding
President Rex Dannenberg. Two weeks later Rex and six others formed a committee to examine
the steps to be taken to establish the Norths Aspley Old Boys and Supporters Club including
drawing up a constitution. At a meeting on November 5 of that year office bearers were elected,
a constitution adopted, and the Old Boys became a reality. The aim of the Club was stated to be
“to raise money to assist the Norths Aspley RLFC and Rugby League in the district.” In 1989 this
aim was amended to read “To perpetuate the traditions of and spirit engendered by service with
the Club and to assist members of the Club.”
Over the years the Old Boys and Supporters Club has raised funds through raffles, super draws,
functions, and for a period, by selling toasted sandwiches to bar patrons. They have used their
funds to assist needy individuals, and causes as diverse as Miss Aspley, The Australian Women’s
Rugby League team and the Children’s Hospital. They have made major contributions to the
Football Club and Leagues Club including a transfer of $10,000 towards the cost of the Club bus.
On sign-on and trophy days the Old Boys have provided sausage sizzles for the youngsters,
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typically using 120kg of sausages and numerous loaves of bread. Traditionally, the Old Boys have
hosted a Kids’ Christmas Party and made an award to the Club Person of the Year.
The Old Boys charge a nominal annual membership fee and currently their major fundraising
activities are the Friday Night Seafood Raffle and the Saturday Meat Trays raffles. The first
President was ‘Old Boy’ the late Kev O’Leary, followed by Ken Roma who then handed over the
reins to Darren Stock, the current President.
President’s Dinner
The President’s Dinner is held annually and is the occasion on which the Football Club, through
its President, provides dinner and drinks to its coaches, managers and helpers in recognition of
their efforts throughout the year. During the evening, the President announces the winners of
the prestigious awards for the year including the International Coach of the Year, Mini-Mod
Coach of the Year and Manager of the Year.
ANZAC Day March
In the early years of the Football Club, the Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club was extremely supportive
and helpful, often making its facilities available before the Club developed its own. In return
Geebung-Zillmere asked only that a contingent from Aspley participate in its ANZAC Day
marches. This tradition has also continued to the present day. The Club is represented strongly
by its players, parents and supporters each year with between 100 -150 people marching to
remember our fallen soldiers. It is the proud duty of our Senior and Junior Club Captains to carry
the Aspley banner and lead the group through the streets.
Affiliated Clubs
Throughout its history (Norths) Aspley Football Club has encouraged the activity of a range of
affiliated clubs. These have included a Judo Club, a very successful and long partnership Golf
Club, a Darts Club and a Fishing Club. The largest club to be affiliated with the Football Club was
the Aspley Devils Netball Club, described by Publicity Officer, Jack Beach, in 1978 as existing “for
the sisters and mothers of the boys.” In that year the Aspley Devils, who played in the brown and
gold colours of the Club and wore the same Golden Devils emblem, fielded four Junior and two
Senior teams.
Keith Rolls recalls bolts of brown and yellow material which became the tunics of the first teams
and over the years the Club was to give support to the netballers by giving them access to a
bingo session on the understanding that part of the profits be returned to the Football
Club/Leagues Club. The arrangement worked well for a number of years and in the early nineties
there were discussions about lighting part of the lease to allow the netball teams to train at
night. Negotiations stalled and eventually the Aspley Devils were able to locate their courts at
Craigslea High School. The relationship between the two clubs came to an end in 1993, when the
Football Club, seriously in need of more funds, decided it needed the bingo session the netball
club had been running and took it over.
****
Traditions are the cement which bind succeeding generations of an institution to one another.
Shared experiences like the Wenty trips enable players of today to identify with the players who
went before them. For that reason alone, they need to be valued and preserved.
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CHAPTER 6 - THE 1990’S – AT THE TOP!
The 80’s had ended on a note of change and, to some extent, uncertainty. While many
welcomed the entry of the Brisbane Broncos into the NSWRL as giving the locals a team to follow
in the nation’s top league competition, others feared for the future of Brisbane club football and
foresaw the end of the tribalism that had been central to the appeal of our game. There had also
been a change in government and with the new Goss Labor team’s promise to introduce poker
machines, licenced clubs were set to boom. Those who believed that this would immediately
solve the fundraising problems of clubs like Aspley were, however, to be disappointed. On the
field Aspley continued its climb to the top, achieving its goal in 1995.
In the competitions of 1995, Aspley was to capture five junior premierships, including three in
Junior A and two Senior premierships in Open 1 and Open 2. The Club also won five Presidents
Cups and in his President’s report of that year, Tim McNamara claimed the mantle of the most
successful club in Queensland. He rejoiced at the support given by supporters on grand final day
when afterwards there were 400 to 500 people celebrating this club’s success. “It is so gratifying
to see the pride that our players and supporters have in our club.” He referred to the need to be
innovative and to implement change in order to stay ahead of competitors and to continue to
work in close co-operation with the Aspley Leagues Club for the mutual benefit of both
organisations.
Success was to continue over the following seasons with another milestone being achieved in
1997 when Aspley won every award available to clubs, or players, at the Brisbane Junior Rugby
League Presentation night. These included the Junior A Champion Club of the Year, the 1997
District Champions and three Representative Player of the Year awards. Coaching and
Development Officer, the late Ross Hendrick pointed out in his report that year, that “no other
club has ever won what Aspley has won in one year”.
In all, Aspley was to win 20 premierships during the 90’s, and, more importantly, the number of
teams carrying the Club’s colours grew from 15 in 1990 to 22 in 1996 before coming back to 18 in
1999. The decade had started with the Club’s first senior premiership when Aspley Opens 3
recorded a grand final win over Deception Bay, 16- 11. The following year saw 15 junior and two
senior teams turn out with five of the eight teams eligible to play in finals making it through to
the semis. Of these, the Under 13s and Under 15s were victorious. In 1992, four teams made the
semi-finals with the Under 14’s and Under 15’s winning through to the grand finals in which they
were successful.
No premierships were won in 1993 and 1994, though all teams eligible to play in finals had made
the semis in 1993 and four teams were graded into Junior A in 1994. As mentioned in the
introduction to this chapter, 1995 was to be a high-water mark in premierships won with the
Club claiming premierships in 12A’s, 12B’s, 14A’s, 15A’s, 16B’s and Opens 1 and 2. Three more
premiership pennants were won in 1996 by the Under 15s, Under 17B’s and Under 18’s, while in
1997 all teams eligible except one made the semi-finals and the Club was successful in winning
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two Junior A premierships in Under 14 and Under 15. Fourteen junior and two senior teams were
fielded in 1998 with a premiership going to the Under 22’s. The millennium came to a close with
18 teams fielded, five of the 11 eligible making semi-finals, three going on to grand final
appearances, and one, the 15A’s winning a premiership.
One of the concerns of the Club in the early 90’s was the perception that other clubs were in the
business of “poaching” talented players from Aspley and there was discussion about how best to
provide incentives to keep players at the Club. Already players kept their jerseys at the end of
the season and were well looked after at end of season trips, functions and presentation days.
There was a feeling however, that these attractions were not enough with some clubs reportedly
offering financial incentives to cover fares to training, where players lived in one area but had to
travel to play for the Clubs trying to attract them. From the Club’s beginning, long term Aspley
players were virtually guaranteed a trip to Wentworthville in either their Under 13 or Under 14
year, but in 1990 the suggestion was made that a trip to Hawaii be planned for the Under 17
team in 1992. This did not eventuate but in 1994, an Under 17 team made a visit to the USA.
There was a somewhat sour note to the trip when subsequent committees were unable to have
tabled a detailed financial breakdown of tour expenses.
In 1990, Stephen Boys combined the roles of Groundsman, Coaching Director and Development
Officer. In his report that year, he thanked the club referees for a job well done and reported
that 15 club members had sat and passed their level 1 Coaching Certificates. Greg Higgins
became Coaching Director in 1992 and referred to the Club’s “unlimited potential” in his report
of that year.
The late Ross Henrick who had enjoyed an outstanding career as a halfback for Valleys and
Norths in the Brisbane Rugby League, and as a State of Origin representative in 1982 and 1984
had taken on a coaching role at Aspley and in 1994 was appointed as the Club’s full-time
Coaching Development Officer, a position he was to hold until 1998. The impact of Hendrick was
immediate and far reaching, with 1995 being the Club’s most successful year ever with the
winning of seven Premierships and five President’s Cups. Additionally, the Club had 23
representative players in that year and 20 players were invited to attend Broncos’ or Crushers’
camps. A youth development program was implemented and in 1995 Hendrick stated: “You
could see players improving with their skills each week at development training; one day some of
these players will be playing in the ARL competition or in Super League.” Ashley Harrison was one
player to fulfil that prediction, going on to play for the Broncos, Rabbitohs, Roosters and Titans.
In 1997 at the Brisbane Junior Rugby League Awards, he was named the Under 16 Best
Representative Player of the Year. Nathan Venn won the corresponding award for Under 17
players and Steven Ware, the Under 18 Award. In addition to these accolades, Aspley was
acknowledged as the Junior A Champion Club of the Year and 1997 District Champion.
Riding on the crest of this wave, some members envisaged bigger things for Aspley and in 1994
the Club made enquiries to the South-East Division about entering the A Grade competition in
1997. Guidelines for entry were acquired but the push was not continued.
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Other developments had been taking place as the 90’s unfolded. In 1993, the Club was
incorporated into the QRL, the culmination of a great deal of work by Committee Members. For
the first time, all players were given a club shirt, while Mini and Mod players were also given a
hat. In a significant development, the Leagues Club assumed responsibility for issues such as staff
and the kitchen/canteen. In 1995, the Club trialled a $100 sign-on fee though this reverted to a
nil sign-on in 1996. In 1995, it was also decided by the Management Committee in consultation
with parents and members to change the Club’s colours for the 1995 season to red & white strip
and then again for the 1996 season. From its inception Aspley had played in various
combinations brown and gold (or gold and brown). Jersey designs had changed on several
occasions but the original colours had remained. In the Secretary’s Report in the AGM Book late
in 1995, the late Warren Tolhurst announced that the new colours would be “burgundy, gold,
white and jade with the Wigan design jumper.” Subsequently the colours were referred to as
maroon, gold and teal with year levels fielding more than one team adopting one of those
colours to distinguish it from others (e.g. Under 8 Maroon).
The 1997 Annual General Meeting saw a discussion about the desirability of the Clubs continuing
to field Senior Teams. Those supporting the view that senior teams should continue argued that
it gave players the opportunity to play on for Aspley after their junior football ended: those
against argued that the teams represented an additional expense and that the Club would be
better served by concentrating on juniors. Those in favour of playing senior teams won the day.
As outlined in the Chapter on the Aspley Leagues Club, 1998 saw the Football Club entrench itself
in a very dominant position on the Board of Directors. 1999 however was to see the Football
Club Committee under pressure, with President Doug Hale having to stand down because of
work commitments and five committee members standing down in the first half of the season
through work or personal commitments. Peter Walker took over as Club President.
The 90’s saw income and expenses both increasing. The introduction of poker machines to the
Leagues Club had the potential to raise significant funds for the organisation and subsequently
for the Football Club. Their introduction also led to significantly increased outlays for the Leagues
Club given that renovations had to be made to accommodate the machines and to provide
facilities that would enable it to compete successfully with several clubs seeking the poker
machine dollar. They were not to be the answer to the Football Club’s fundraising prayers in the
short term and this situation was to cause some frustration for the Football Club Committee
members. Throughout the 90’s Bingo remained the main source of income for the Aspley RLFC.
In 1990 Treasurer Rozanne Tolhurst thanked Bingo Co-ordinator Jon Cunningham and his
workers for raising $58,190 for the club. In 1999 Hon Treasurer Ray Tierney reported “Whilst our
monthly allocation is now paid by the Leagues Club, the bulk of our funds are raised from bingo
players. When a shortfall occurs, the balance is topped up by the Leagues Club. Without this
support the Football Club would struggle to survive.”
The Club finished in the black in 1990, but major expenditure on the field in 1991 meant that the
Club had to use the $19,000 that it had in an interest-bearing deposit and then had to approach
the Leagues Club for more funds. Treasurer, Rozanne Tolhurst, acknowledged the need to
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udget carefully given that the League’s Club was faced with significant expenditure in
preparation for the installation of poker machines. By 1995 following rising wages, further field
upgrade and the employing of full-time Coaching Development Officer, Ross Hendrick, Rozanne
indicated that the Club had reached a point where it needed a major sponsor to help support
ever-expanding expenditures.
The Football Club budget in 1996 allowed for an expenditure of $205,000. This was exceeded
owing to $44,680 of abnormal expenses which included the installation of lights at Aspley High,
the installation and furnishing of a Porta-Comm hut, the purchase of new sports equipment and
helping the Leagues Club upgrade the viewing area in front of the Club house. $102,845 of the
’97 budget of $207636 was to come from the Leagues Club while in 1998, Club President Doug
Hale stated in his Annual Report, “the club spent a lot of money over and above the normal
operating costs doing what we believe clubs should do”. Outlays included $6,000 for insurance
and nomination fees for all teams, taking 120 players from Under 7 to Under 12 to see the
Melbourne vs Broncos game at ANZ Stadium, and funding Ty Casey and Clinton Rae to the World
Youth Games in Moscow where they represented Australia in winning a gold medal in Rugby
League. Money was also allocated to improve the drainage of the field and $32,000 was
allocated to the Club’s two Senior Teams, Under 20s and Under 22s.
The century ended with the Football Club making a conscious effort to get back into the black
after two financially trying years. Treasurer Ray Tierney indicated that the Club would be in a
position to cancel out its $50,000 overdraft early in the following financial year. In the same year
(1999) the Leagues Club negotiated the sale of part of the land in Lacey Road. The funds realised
by this sale and the subsequent sale of the remaining land were seen as guaranteeing the futures
of the Leagues Club and the Football Club into the twenty-first century.
Throughout the 90’s committees sought to improve the physical environment of the Club and to
try to solve the problem of growing numbers coupled with restricted playing and training fields.
The hiring of part time and later full-time groundsmen and regular injections of cash brought
about steady improvement in the quality of the playing surface of the field at Kirby Road. Money
was spent on purchasing slashers, mowers and fertilizer and on applying top dressing on a
regular basis. The traffic on the field through training and playing games meant, however, that it
was under constant pressure and committee members looked to examine other areas which
might alleviate the situation.
In 1990, the land in Zillmere Road opposite the end of Kirby Road was considered a site for new
fields but costs proved prohibitive. The Club owned the land at Lacey Road, but again, the costs
of relocating and starting again presented a major challenge. Moreover, the land was
appreciating in value and many argued that eventually the land would be too valuable to place
football fields upon.
In 1993 permission was gained from the Aspley East State School P and C and Principal to light
the school oval with a view to having some teams train and play games at that venue.
Unfortunately, the plan was to stall but an alternative arrangement was negotiated in 2004. The
Club had more success in gaining approval from Aspley High in 1996 to light part of their grounds
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and some training took place there from then on. It was not to be exploited fully as a training
venue, however, until 2004. In 1993 a joint meeting of the Leagues Club and Football Club
approved plans for extensions to the Clubhouse which would include the badly needed dressing
rooms. The Club welcomed the completion of the extension and the high standard of the new
change rooms in 1994.
1996 also saw the Club acquire a demountable building to be used as a duty officials room, a
meeting room, and a venue for team meetings when the field was too wet to train on. Patrons
also expressed their approval in that year of the concreted and shaded area in front of the
Clubhouse which enabled the better viewing of games.
In 1999, the Leagues Club decided to sell two thirds of the land at Lacey Road with the thinking at
that time being to use the funds from the sale to develop the remaining land for games. 13
hectares were initially sold, and a subsequent offer on the remaining 6 hectares proved too
attractive to decline, it too was sold. Lacey Road had not provided the answer to the Club’s
playing fields problem but it’s sale had ensured the financial health of the Leagues Club, and
vicariously the Football Club, into the future.
Image below from club archive – 1995.
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CHAPTER 7 - TOWARDS 2007 AND 40 YEARS
Aspley entered the twenty-first century in fairly good shape: finances were back on an even keel;
the millennium bug was a “no show” and kids were still wanting to play footy. Not even the most
optimistic supporter of the Club however could have envisaged the enormous strides forward
that that would be made over the next seven or eight years. There were some rough times
ahead, but these were to be overcome as they always had been, and new opportunities were to
present themselves and to be made the most of.
2001 was the “Year of the Volunteer” but for Aspley it was its Annus Horribilis and internal
fighting and serious team problems took their toll on the Club’s volunteers. Club President, Jim
Spletter, described the year as “long and arduous” and in his Annual Report spoke of changes
and tough decisions that had to be made. Treasurer Ray Tierney expressed his disappointment
with the internal fighting at committee level which had led to some severed friendships and
several time-demanding disruptions. Marcia Hill in her Secretary’s report said that she could not
identify why there were problems but stated, “in my 21 years of being involved with Rugby
League I don’t think I have ever encountered the disharmony that has occurred with teams this
season.” Marcia was to be recognized for her service to Rugby League with a 2001 Australian
Sports Medal. The Club was sad to say goodbye to her in 2002 when she left after her service as
Secretary since 1996 to join the Board of the Brisbane Rugby League.
Apart from losing Marcia, 2002 was a more positive year which saw an increase in the number of
teams, the beginnings of an association with the Sydney Roosters and the setting up of an Aspley
Football Club website. In 2003 the foreshadowed sale of the Club’s land at Lacey Road prompted
a lot of discussion among members with serious concerns being expressed about the ability of
the Club to cater for increased numbers of players without additional fields. Plans were in place
however to overcome this problem. In her Secretary’s report of that year Mary Tierney
expressed her pleasure at the fact that in spite of the large number of players representing
Aspley, no players had been suspended in that year. Two years later, with 600 kids wearing
Aspley colours only one was sent off during the season.
Aspley RLFC’s association with the Brisbane Broncos at the end of 2003 led to an explosion of
player numbers in 2004, and while this was hailed as a great development it created new
headaches in the areas of recruitment of coaches and managers and in availability of grounds,
with up to 20 matches being played at Kirby Road each weekend. 2004 also saw the introduction
of compulsory induction nights for parents where talks were given about the structure of the
Club, and the Club’s code of conduct was explained prior to parents being asked to sign a
commitment to adhere to that code.
2005 and 2006 were years of continuing growth culminating in the fielding of teams in the QRL’s
FOGS A Grade and Colts competitions. The association with the Broncos had continued to grow
and several corporate sponsors were now backing the Club. A year of many highlights culminated
in Aspley being named as Premier Club of the Year at the SEDJ presentation night.
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An examination of player numbers and team performances in the seven years from 2000 to 2006
highlights the importance of Aspley’s partnership with the Broncos and of the benefits that flow
from quality coaching and development. In the four years from 2000 – 2003 the Club fielded an
average of 23 – 25 teams and won one premiership, that of the 16 B’s in 2003. In 2004, the first
year of the Broncos partnership and the second year of Gary Phillips as Coaching Director, player
numbers increased by 30% and nine premierships were won in the next three years. Aspley
became the second largest junior club in Queensland in 2004 and was named as the Premier
Club of the Year in 2006.
2000 had seen a sign-on of 300 juniors and 74 seniors resulting in the fielding of 19 Junior and
three Senior teams. Three teams progressed to grand finals but no premierships were won. In
2001 Aspley fielded 18 Junior teams (265 players) and five Senior teams. The teams covered the
range from U7’s to Masters and included a Women’s team. Six players from that team made the
Australian Women’s team and toured New Zealand. Seven teams won their way to semi-finals
with four progressing to grand finals. Again, no premierships were won. 2002 saw only one team
from the 24 Junior and three Senior teams make the grand final and again unfortunately success
was not forthcoming.
2003 was Gary Phillips’s first year as Coaching and Development Officer and with the Club again
fielding 23 Junior teams and two Senior teams, eight teams played in semi-finals with four going
on to grand finals and the 16B’s able to win the Clubs first premiership since 1999. 2004 saw
player numbers pass 500 with two of the 30 teams fielded (13A and 13C) going on to win
premierships. 2005 was even more successful with 600 players in 32 teams with premiership
pennants won by 12B’ s , 13B’ s , 14A’ s and 15A’s.
Player numbers continued to rise and in 2006 Aspley had another record sign-on and fielded an
amazing 40 teams; 34 Junior and six Senior. Perhaps even more impressively, of the 17 teams
eligible to play in semi-finals 12 Aspley teams made it through. Of these five went on to play in
grand finals with three delivering premierships (U12, U13 Div 4 and U18). Aspley had truly
earned the mantle of Premier Club of the Year.
The successful partnership with the Brisbane Broncos had undoubtedly been influential in
attracting players to Aspley and in giving the Club access to Broncos technology and personnel.
Other factors relating to the Club structures, personnel, coaching and development had also
played their part in making Aspley a Rugby League powerhouse.
In 2000 Norths Aspley had appointed Michael Price as Coaching and Development Officer and
one of the big initiatives was the introduction of the Summer Development Program which was
well attended by players and coaches in the off-season. Emphasis was placed on developing skills
and formulating uniform coaching techniques. An association was formed with the Newcastle
Knights and Wests Tigers. Two under 16 players, Lawrie Smith and Sonny Tuilaepa were placed
on gear scholarships with the Knights and the boys were invited to attend a summer camp in
Newcastle in December. Three Aspley coaches, Rob Hutton, Dave Gatt and Bevan Baptiste were
also invited to attend the camp.
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Belatedly perhaps, given that Norths had not operated as a parent club for many years, the
“Norths” prefix was dropped from the Club’s title at the 2001 AGM, on a motion moved by
Marcia Hill and seconded by Ray Tierney. Henceforth the Club was to be the Aspley Rugby
League Football Club. 2001 also saw the Football Club along with the Leagues Club and the Old
Boys sponsoring the Australian Women’s Rugby League team that toured New Zealand.
The following year 2002, saw Gary Phillips as Coaching and Development Officer and a change in
the NRL club with which Aspley was to be associated. Earlier negotiations with the Melbourne
Storm had broken down, reportedly because the Storm wanted to install their own Coaching and
Development Officer, and they were asking for “big dollars” to pay other clubs to send players to
Aspley. The Club decided instead to affiliate with the Sydney Roosters who were prepared to
offer Roosters scholarships, to assist with Aspley’s Developing and Emerging Squads and to
sponsor a Roosters Cup to be contested by Sandgate, Redcliffe, Benowa and Helensvale high
schools.
Over the next four years Gary Phillips was to direct and coordinate the coaching within the Club
and to promote Rugby League in the local primary and high schools. The association with the
Roosters, however, was to last only until 2003 when a long-term partnership was forged with the
Brisbane Broncos. Andrew Gee who had served the Broncos well in their engine room joined
Aspley as its Community Development Officer. The Golden Devils players now had access to
Bronco expertise and a pathway to the NRL. A Five-Year Development Plan was drawn up in 2004
and Andrew Gee’s role changed to that of Football Operations Manager. Working in close cooperation,
Andrew Gee and Gary Phillips organised school competitions, school visits and
coaching clinics to promote Rugby League in the area.
Further personnel changes were to take place in 2005-06 with Andrew Gee returning to take up
a position with the Broncos and his place as Football Operations Manager being taken by Mark
Gee, former coach of the Toowoomba Clydesdales. Gary Phillips was replaced as Coaching and
Development Officer by Michael Crawley who came from the Australian Institute of Sport.
Crawley in turn was succeeded by Simon Scanlan in 2006 and the Club strengthened the
coaching and development role in the same year by appointing Fletcher Holmes as Junior CDO.
With their assistance the year was marked by 20 Broncos coaching sessions, significant
development of the game in local State and Catholic primary schools and the operation of the
Aspley-Broncos Challenge for Years 8, 9 and 10 among local high schools.
Expansion was always going to be difficult for a club operating with one leased field, and with
exploding numbers and after 2003 the problem became critical. In the earlier years of the Club
the issue had been addressed by having some teams train at Bald Hills and the land at Lacey
Road had been purchased in 1980 with a view to eventually moving the Club’s operations to that
site. A financial decision by the Leagues Club, to whom the land had been transferred, to sell the
land eventually removed that option and the proposal to lease former dump-site land in
Telegraph Road at Bracken Ridge also failed to eventuate.
Anticipating the dramatic increase in numbers that would accompany the coming into effect of
the partnership with the Broncos the Club began planning to meet the grounds’ challenge in
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2003. Ten years earlier an in-principle agreement had been reached with Aspley East State
School to light their field to expand the Club’s training facilities. The plan, however, did not come
to fruition. In 1996 the Aspley State High School field had been equipped with lights by the Club
and a limited amount of training had taken place at that venue since then. With the grounds
problem now acute Tim McNamara the CEO of the Aspley Leagues Club again entered into
negotiations with Paul Kingston Principal of the Aspley East State School and John Schuh,
Principal of Aspley State High School. In an excellent example of community co-operation for the
common good, long term agreements were reached that were beneficial to all parties. In return
for financial support and the responsibility of maintaining the schools’ fields, the Club was given
access to school facilities such as ovals, and in the case of Aspley High, to off street parking, the
gymnasium and the school swimming pool. An example of the win-win nature of the
arrangement was the refurbishment of the gym by the Football Club which benefitted students
and Aspley footballers alike. As a result of these arrangements two minor league games were
able to be played simultaneously on the Aspley East fields on game days and most of the training
activities moved to the High School ovals. Lighting of the ovals to enable this to happen was paid
for by the Club assisted by a Government grant.
Other improvements to the physical environment of the Club had been ongoing. In 2001 Leagues
Club renovations had been completed and these had included the provision of offices for the
Football Club and new dressing rooms. Further renovations were undertaken in 2003 and the
Leagues Club agreed to fund an ongoing maintenance program for the football field. A generous
donation of $11,099 by one of the Club’s sponsors, Project Leaders/Hutchinson Builders made
possible the acquisition of an electronic scoreboard. Treasurer Ray Tierney also paid tribute to
the volunteers who so freely gave of their time to erect the scoreboard and save the Club
obvious expense. A grant of $24,000 from the Queensland Government’s Minor Facilities
Program assisted with the lighting of the ancillary field at Aspley High.
The expansion of the Club’s operations and the trend towards increased professionalism on and
off the football field came at a significant financial cost. In 2000 the Club operated on an income
of $202,265.57 and had showed a surplus for the year of $40,421. The Leagues Club had made
advances of $155,000 and wages and consulting fees amounted to $2,789.42. In 2006 income
had climbed to $655,593 ($424,631 from the Leagues Club) and the net operating profit was
$18,140. Wages and staff entitlements paid by the Football Club amounted to $74,984. In the sixyear
period income had more than trebled while expenses had increased by an even bigger
multiplier. Annual grants from the Leagues Club were by now approximating the annual income
derived from the investments made after the sale of the land at Lacey Road. Although there was
little argument against the proposition that the land had been originally for Club development,
some members of the Board were now questioning how long the trends could continue. The
situation was to become even more critical in 2007.
The erosion of the Football Club’s financial position had become apparent in 2001. With the
employment of a full-time Coaching and Development Officer, at a cost of $52,000 per annum. It
had been hoped that the position would be self-funding through generated sponsorships but
that did not happen. The Club’s financial position in that year was exacerbated by stock losses,
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funds missing from the Miss Aspley function and shortfalls in sign-on fees. The situation
improved in 2002 with the property losses being reduced and grants being received from the
Brisbane City Council ($12,273), the Gaming Fund ($8,750) and the Sport and Recreation Fund
($3,300). These windfalls were partially offset by the overpaying of a departing Coaching and
Development Officer of an amount of $7,604.
2003 saw a grant forthcoming from the Queensland Government Minor Facilities Program. While
in 2004, $189,498 provided by the Leagues Club together with income from grants and sponsors
saw the Club finish the year with a surplus of $36,161. The situation deteriorated again in 2005
when a deficit of $29,306 was recorded despite a large operating budget. The result was partially
explained by expenses not budgeted for which included staging the Queensland Open
Schoolboys Carnival ($5,000), website enhancement ($3,000), taking Junior players to the
Broncos last game ($2,000) and a change in football gear which led to jerseys, club shirts, shorts
and socks becoming superseded ($5,600). The redundant gear was forwarded to needy players in
Papua-New Guinea and the Solomons.
In 2006 a sign-on fee of $50 per player was introduced and the Leagues Club lifted its grant to
$257,952. Sponsorship increased significantly with Fuji-Xerox, Toyota, Oxmar properties, Quest
Community Newspapers, Sagem Australia, Ray White Aspley, Anza Communications, Triple Play
Pty Ltd, Promo Gear, project Leaders/Hutchinson Builders and Burpengary Fridge and Washer
Centre contributing $113,589. Despite the additional expenses of fielding an A Grade and Colts
team for the first time the Club was able to record a bottom line profit of $18,140.
The crunch was to come in the following year.
In 2006 Aspley Devils successfully applied for entry to the FOGS Cup and FOGS Colts Challenge
and were able to use this participation in these competitions as a stepping stone to the vacant
twelfth spot in the Queensland Cup in 2007. In December 2006, it was announced that Aspley
would replace the Toowoomba Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup and compete as the Aspley-
Broncos, playing in Aspley colours carrying the Broncos emblem. The venture marked the high
point of Aspley’s partnership and indeed, represented the pinnacle of the Club’s football
achievements, fielding a team as it did, in the foremost Rugby League competition in
Queensland. Changing circumstances meant that Aspley’s appearance at this level was not
repeated in 2008. With the introduction of the Toyota Cup, a national competition for players
under 20 years of age, and the participation of the Broncos in that competition, the Broncos
chose to spread players not required for NRL or Toyota Cup duties across seven of the
Queensland Cup teams rather than have a feeder club like the Toowoomba Clydesdales or Aspley
Broncos. For the time being Aspley’s venture into the Q-Cup was over.
2007 was historic and successful in other ways. In its fortieth year the Club was able to field 33
Junior teams and 7 Senior teams with approximately 700 players pulling on Aspley jerseys. In his
Annual Report President Jim Spletter stated, “we don’t measure success at Aspley by the number
of trophies in our showcase at the end of the season, but by the continual improvement and
development of our coaches and players skills, player participation and player enjoyment
throughout the Club.”
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Nevertheless, at the end of the season the Club celebrated three Chairman’s Trophy wins, four
premierships (U11, U12 Div 1, U12 Div 2 and U16) and the under 7 ALP Shield success. Mark Gee
continued his role as Football Operations Manager while Simon Scanlan and Fletcher Holmes
again served as Coaching and Development Officers. Under the development program, clinics
were run in over a dozen schools in the Aspley region. In conjunction with the clinics a Catholic
Primary Schools Challenge was run over an eight-week period with over 125 students
participating. The Aspley-Broncos Challenge for secondary school students grew again in 2007
with 115 games being played between 32 teams from year 8 to Opens. “Coach the Coaches” was
seen again during the year and the annual “Skills Evaluation Clinic” was conducted for all players
from under 7’s to Under 12’s. Simon Scanlan reported that the basic skill level of Aspley’s junior
players was of a very high standard and that this was one thing that the Club and coaches could
be very proud of.
Aspley RLFC had good reason to feel proud of its achievements in its 40 th year but the Treasurer’s
report for the year was a cause for concern. Ray Tierney indicated that “the Club’s overall
balance sheet position has deteriorated resulting in a loss in members’ equity for the year of
$110,108.” Casual observers blamed the loss on the fielding of Colts, A Grade and Queensland
Cup competitions and while these represented a combined outlay of $219.568, the Club had
generated income of $207,682 through sponsors. The losses were more accurately explained by
rising employment costs, increases in nomination fees, insurance and fines, a depreciation figure
that grew from $13,796 in 2006 to $61,318 in 2007 and increased costs associated with the
Anniversary Wenty trip (up to $67,992). Again, the Leagues Club contributed generously to the
cost of operating in 2007 with cash grants of $257,952, payments of $159,558 in wages and
grounds maintenance and an additional grant of $40,254 to help the Football Club through a
challenging year.
With the passing of the Aspley Broncos from the Queensland Cup, Aspley entered into a new
partnership with the Broncos and, ironically perhaps, with Norths Devils. Known as the Northern
Broncos Development Program it was a joint initiative of the three organisations. The aim of the
program was to assist with the development of Junior Rugby League and coaching development
in the Northern region of Brisbane and was funded by the Aspley Devils, Refund Home Loans,
Golden Circle, Steve Jones, and Norths Leagues and Services Club. The initiative encourages
participation at all levels from school based activities through to Junior A and Development
teams. At the elite end the program offers a pathway through to NRL level. The program was coordinated
by Michael Whalley from Norths Devils, and had ten affiliated clubs: Aspley Devils,
Banyo Devils, Brothers Juniors, Brighton Roosters, Fortitude Valley Juniors, Norths Devils Juniors,
Norths St. Josephs, Pine Central Holy Spirit, Pine Rivers and Samford Stags.
Norths Devils, as the established Senior club in the area, and ultimately perhaps the Brisbane
Broncos are seen as the likely destination for elite graduates from the program. Funds were
provided to associated clubs for equipment, coaches, sports medicine and referee development.
Further funds were provided to Junior A teams from Under 15 to Under17, to Wavell High to
assist with its Excellence in Rugby League program, and to Norths Devils and Brisbane Broncos
scholarship programs. The venture provided development clinics, emerging squad training, a
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Mini and Mod Sponsors Day and Referee development and Accreditation courses. Aspley RLFC
had a significant financial investment in the program and benefits to the Club would be
monitored closely to assess whether these benefits justified the investment.
With highly qualified professional staff backed by its incredible volunteers, and with ongoing
generous funding from the Leagues Club, the Aspley RLFC was well placed to continue its
impressive journey into its fifth decade. Its first 40 years had been difficult at times but always
rewarding. It had much to be proud of.
Image below from club archive – Aspley BRONCOS - 2007.
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CHAPTER 8 - THE FIFTH DECADE 2008-2017
In his 2008 President’s Report, Jim Spletter stated that “the last three years has been a fantastic
journey for the Aspley RLFC. It has taken us to the pinnacle of Rugby League in Queensland. In
2009, we go back to what we do best: produce quality junior footballers and good
sportsmanship.”
The committee had decided not to enter teams in the FOGS’ competition after 2008. The Aspley-
Bronco foray into the Queensland Cup had ended after only one year with the introduction of
the Toyota Cup, a national Under 20 competition. Aspley’s ties with the Broncos did not diminish
despite the Broncos’ decision to spread its second-tier players around a number of feeder clubs.
Throughout the decade the ongoing association and co-operation owed much to the
contribution of Broncos’ Game Development Manager, Paul Dyer.
The operating environment of the Club in its fifth decade was vastly different from that of the
previous decade. In the initial years, teams were given the responsibility of raising their own
funds and were able to do it fairly comfortably. In 2017, to outfit a team and cover its insurance
and playing fees requires an input of about $3,500. The complexities of catering for 37 teams and
650 players, of maintain two fields, of liaising with more than twenty sponsors, of managing a
budget of three quarters of a million dollars and other responsibilities could no longer be
handled by willing volunteers alone. In response to these challenges and complexities the
Football Club employed three and sometimes four full-time administrative staff.
The contribution of the full-time staff members over the decades was invariably significant. The
Football Operations Manager oversaw the general development of the game, the co-ordination
of events, overall administration, relationships, and sponsorships. These tasks were ably carried
out by Simon Scanlan to 2008 and from 2010 to 2013. Club stalwart Doug Hale served in 2008
and 2009, while Dennis Moore held the reins from 2013 until the position was lost in a
restructure in 2014.
The role of Coaching Development Officer was to coordinate and improve coaching within the
Club, to foster the improvement of skills amongst players, and to develop and expand the game
in the local community, especially within schools. Shane Kiss held the position in 2009-10 and
was succeeded by Fletcher Holmes who carried out the duties until 2014 when a restructure
combined some of the duties of the Football Operations Manager and Coaching Development
Officer into a new position of Football and Game Development Officer. Fletcher held the new
position in 2015-16 and was succeeded by former Aspley Junior and former Broncos’ and
Bulldogs’ NRL player, David Stagg who currently holds the position.
Leneke Pearce served as an enthusiastic and hard-working Administration Officer until 2012
when Kathy Gill took over. With an accounting and business background Kathy was well-placed
to serve in the role. In 2015, budget restraints and wish-lists saw the reshuffle of duties with
Kathy and Fletcher absorbing the duties of the Football Operations Manager and being given the
new titles of Business Manager and Football and Game Development Manager in recognition of
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their expanded duties. Kory Bell was the Receptionist and Administration Officer from 2014 until
February 2016. Staff changes during 2015-16 saw David Stagg become Football and Game
Development Manager and Kathy Gill’s role was split between Simone Casey who assumed the
bulk of the Office Administration role, whilst Julie Marriott took over the payroll, accounts &
grants tasks as the Financial Officer after Kathy’s departure in September 2016.
Jim Spletter continued to lead the Club as President in 2008 and again from 2011 to 2013. He
had provided outstanding leadership over a very long period and had led the Club through some
of its most exciting times. He was to continue his contributions by remaining of the Board of the
Leagues’ Club. Tony Minehan led the Club in 2009-10, and Stephen Buckley the current President
has held the position since 2014. Treasurers for the period were Cath Pearce 2008-09, Trish
Woodruff 2011-14 and Ray Tierney 2010 and 2015-17. The indomitable and indefatigable Mary
Tierney was Secretary throughout.
Aspley RLFC has always sought to grow the game, beyond, as well as within the Club. In
expanding the game in the community, the Club, through its Coaching Development Officers
reached out to local primary and secondary schools. In 2013, for example, Fletcher Holmes
reported on work done in this area. In Catholic primary schools, the Fuji – Xerox Aspley/Broncos
Primary School Challenge operated. Beginning with a four-week block of basic skills
development, boys and girls progressed to mock games before participating in a Gala Day
involving six Catholic primary schools and 120 participants. The challenge was structured to give
girls and boys who may never have played Rugby League before, a fun and enjoyable experience
in the game.
Fuji-Xerox Aspley/Broncos Secondary Schools Challenge in the same year saw twelve high
schools and a total of 800 students participate. That competition ran for nine weeks where year
8, 9 and 10 and open teams competed. The Club also offered skill development programs to local
schools, often taking advantage of the participation of past Broncos players.
Within the Club, skills evaluation clinics, coaching education courses and development squads
helped to improve the skills and performances of players and coaches. In 2009 development
squads were introduced for juniors (11-13 years), Seniors (14-15 years) and Emerging (16-17
years). These squads were created to give players, who weren’t in any squads such as Northern
Broncos, or any NRL development squads, the opportunity to improve their skills and learn new
ones. A further aim of the development squads in that year was to educate participants in offfield
areas such as drug education and the provision of mental tools and triggers that they could
use to improve their performances on and off the field.
In reaching out to new players the Club fielded a team in 2010 in the Under 6 competition and in
the same year two Under 16 Girls’ teams were welcomed, adding new scope to the Club’s
operation. One of those teams was the only girls’ team on the north side of Brisbane while the
other team played in a Sunshine Coast competition and was only narrowly beaten in the grand
final. In 2012 a Women’s Open team took the field and in the following year, 2013 they won a
thrilling grand final at Burleigh. The women and girls added a new dimension of pleasantness and
willingness to get involved and offer assistance in Club activities. In its 50 th year Aspley RLFC has
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fielded a Women’s Open team together with one team in each in Under 15 and Under 18 age
groups.
Another popular innovation was the introduction in 2014 of the Little Devils League. The
program was designed for 3-5 year olds who were either too young to sign on as registered
players or who simply wanted to experience aspects of the game in a safe, enjoyable and noncompetitive
environment. The program attracted immediate interest and had to be capped at 40
members. In 2017 the Little Devils is going strongly and runs for eight sessions over three
months. Participants have a lot of fun and provide great amusement and often hilarity for
onlookers. Each Little Devil receives a Broncos’ Club Buck membership, an Aspley/Broncos
football, a water bottle, a Broncos’ backpack, an NRL season pass, a certificate of participation, a
photo and a trophy.
Maintaining and expanding the game came at a significant cost.
The financial fortunes of the Football Club since 1979 have been closely linked to those of the
Leagues Club formed in that year. The Leagues Club’s major aim was to support the Football Club
and in its fifth decade the Football Club derived about one-third of its income from Leagues Club
funding. Other sources of revenue in 2016 included sponsorships ($80,000), sign-on fees
($128,000), government grants ($68,000) and canteen profits ($16,300). The decision of early
committees that no sign-on fees were to be charged but this could not be maintained and after
their introduction in 2006 these fees increased to their 2017 level of $245 per player.
Consideration is given to families with more than one boy or girl playing with discounts available
and a Social Justice Fund exists to assist players where extreme financial circumstances exist that
would preclude a potential player from signing on.
The Club’s financial commitment to the Northern Broncos Development Program during this
period was a significant one, and expanding and improving facilities continued to be major focus,
despite rising costs. The Leagues Club’s acquisition of the Zillmere and Districts Community Sport
Club led to the Football Club’s applying for and gaining a lease on the grounds and dressing room
facilities that existed behind the Sports Club. While this was to provide the opportunity for mini
and mod teams to eventually train and play on their own field, the development of the
O’Callaghan Park fields placed new demands on the Club’s resources. The grounds had to be
fenced, lit, and maintained and power and water costs were an issue. Nevertheless, the mini and
mod games were up and running there by 2012, then a further upgrade of the drainage system
in 2014 allowed an increase to accommodate an international match size field.
At the Kirby Road grounds, major expenditure items included the replacement of the scoreboard
and public-address system, the introduction of a state of the art LED lighting in 2016, and a
rainwater harvesting project due for completion late in 2017. Other improvements in 2016 saw
the replacement of the dugouts and the provision of concrete footing slab for the grandstand.
Ongoing outlays on items such as rent, electricity and lighting, field aeration, fertilizer and water
costs were significant. In 2015, for example, maintenance costs at Kirby Road amounted to
$26,000 and at O’Callaghan Park to $31,000. Government grants were of major importance in
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enabling projects to proceed and professional advice and assistance were enlisted in formulating
grants. Finances were important but the game was always the focus.
In the years from 2008 to 2017, Aspley was to continue to experience on field successes. (See
Apendix B for the full list
In its 50 th anniversary year, Aspley RLFC is fielding 33 Junior teams including Under 15 and Under
18 Girls teams, an Under 19 team, two Open Men’s teams and an Open Women’s team. In all,
about 620 players are donning the maroon, teal and gold. In its 50 years the Club has met and
overcome many challenges, and it is a fact of life that challenges will continue to arise. In his
2016 President’s Report Stephen Buckley spoke of “a trying year with the decimation of some
age groups and the attitudes of some coaches, team management, parents and players who
were of the opinion that they were bigger than the game.” From time to time every club has
issues of this kind and inevitably they are overcome. More serious, perhaps, is the ongoing
difficulty in attracting members to serve on the Club’s committee. A lack of members in this area
carries over to game days where volunteers are necessary to successfully stage games. This is
especially true at senior games where parent volunteers are not as available. Competition from
other codes, especially from Soccer, where weight differences from player to player are less
important, is an ongoing challenge but the Club continues to field more than one team in most
grades from year to year.
On 20 th May 2017, Aspley RLFC celebrated its 50-year journey with a Gala Dinner attended by
many of those who had contributed most to the Club over that period. Life members, committee
members, long serving coaches and players were present. Sadly, two life members who had
made outstanding contributions, Rex Dannenberg and Keith Rolls, had passed away during the
decade but were remembered by many during the evening. On a brighter note two of the
original committee from 1967, Jack Gleadhill and Novar Newton were present. Current Club
Captains Chantal Haua (Senior) and Michael Diluca (Junior) gave impressive and moving
addresses.
So, after 50 years, Aspley Rugby League Football Club continues to move forward. Fifty years of
providing the opportunity for so many young people to play “the greatest game of all”, to
experience the enjoyment and mateship that our sport provides, to be able to look back and to
look forward and to say “Go the Golden Devils”.
Images below: 2017 Training Tee with the first Premiership Winning team U13A - 1968.
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CHAPTER 9 - HEROES PAST AND PRESENT
The Club’s journey of 50 years produced, and was made possible, by its heroes. The most easily
identified of these heroes are the Life Members whose names appear on the Honour Board at
the entrance to the Leagues Club. In its 50 years, 18 men and two women have had bestowed on
them the highest honour the Club can offer
The Life Members
‣ Jack Gleadhill (1973): Jack was one of the original group who came across from Norths to
form Norths Aspley. He acted as a representative of Norths while serving on Aspley’s
committee and began the Bingo operations which were to prove crucial to the Club’s
financial viability.
‣ Harry Kirby (1975): The late Harry Kirby also came from Norths and, being a builder is
credited with saving the Club much needed funds through his contacts and expertise. He
was an important fund raiser in the early years and server as President briefly in 1971
and again in 1974. The field is named in his honour.
‣ Pat Buckley (1976): Pat was elected to the first Management Committee in 1968. He
served as Property Office from 1970-1975 and headed the highly successful Bingo
operation from 1974 to 1981. Pat played an active part in rewriting the Clubs
constitution in 1978 and 1981 and in preparation for the Leagues Club in 1979. He
served as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
‣ Alan Scamp (1977): The late Alan Scamp was an active Committee person in the early
years of the Club and served as Secretary in 1972 and 1973 and President in 1977 and
1981. Alan became a Director of the Leagues Club and served as Secretary of the Board
of Directors.
‣ Darby Munro (1977): Darby Munro served as Secretary in 1971 and Treasurer in 1973-74
and again in 1976-77-78. Darby juggled his duties with shift work but still found time to
assist with fundraising.
‣ Rex Dannenberg (1978): The late Rex Dannenberg is generally recognized as the driving
force in getting the Club up and running. He was the foundation President in 1968-69
and remained active in the Football Club for many years. Rex was also one of the driving
forces behind the establishment of the Old Boys and Supporters Club.
‣ Neil Phelan (1979): Neil Phelan server on the Management Committee during the 1970’ s
and was involved in fundraising for the Club. He coached over a number of years and
served as Secretary in 1974.
‣ Ray Kelso (1980): Ray had legend status within the Club as an organiser of raffles and
fundraising. He coached for a time and was Club President in 78-79. He played a key role
in establishing the Leagues Club. He became Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1980
‣ Robert Harriss (1982): The late Bob Harriss was a server on the Management Committee
during the 70’s and 80’s and was a team manager. In 1982, he had the responsibility of
operating Bingo within the Club.
‣ Keith Rolls (1983): The late Keith Rolls coached and served on early committees and in
1975 took over the Presidency of the Football Club. He was to go on to be the longest
serving President – 1975-76, 1980, 1982-83-84-85-86-87, 89-90-91-92, a record 13 terms
as well as serving on the Board of Directors.
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‣ Bob Smith (1985): Bob had been a club referee and active member of the Management
Committee before becoming Secretary in 1978 and continuing in that position until
1985. He also managed teams and served as Secretary again in 1993 after terms as
treasurer in 1987-88. Bob also served as Secretary and Chairman of the Board of
Directors.
‣ Bob Durston (1987): The Late Bob Durston served on the Club’s Management
Committee as well as coaching and managing teams. He made a major contribution to
the Club in his role of club referee, a position he carried out over many years.
‣ Warren Tolhurst (1988): The late Warren Tolhurst served on the Management
Committee and was Registrar in 1983 and Property Officer in 1985. Warren also coached
and was President in 1986-1987 and for a part of 1997. He was Club Secretary in 1990-
91-92 and in 1994-95-96.
‣ Rob Eltherington (1991): Rob had an involvement in the Club of 20 years as a player,
coach and committee person from 1971 to 1990. He played from 1971 to 1982, coached
for 11 seasons and was a member of the Management Committee in 1976 and the Old
Boys Committee 1989-90.
‣ Tim McNamara (1997): Tim was one of the Club’s earliest players and later coached and
managed teams. He was President of the Football Club from 1993 to 1996 and served on
the Board of Directors. He was CEO of the Leagues Club until his resignation in 2014.
‣ Rozanne Tolhurst (1998): Rozanne became the Club’s first woman to be awarded life
membership and with her late husband Warren is half of the only husband-wife team
ever to be so honoured. After many years on the committee in the 80’s, Rozanne served
as Treasurer for almost 9 years and made a significant contribution as Bingo promoter.
‣ Ray Tierney (2004): Ray Tierney had been Club Treasurer continuously since 1998 when
he was made a Life Member in 2004. He went on to serve as Treasurer until the end of
the 2007 season, a record 10 consecutive terms. He served again in 2010 and from 2015
to 2017.
‣ Jim Spletter (2006): Jim was Club President 2001-8 and 2011-13. He joined the Football
Club Committee in 1995 and has been a Leagues Club Director since 1996. Jim led the
Club in its historic partnership with the Brisbane Broncos in 2003.
‣ Novar Newton (2007): Novar’s contribution to the Club was belatedly acknowledged
given that he had been one of the “founding fathers” in 1967 he served as Treasurer for
the first five years of the Club’s operation and ensured a firm financial footing.
‣ Mary Tierney (2008): Mary has given great service to the Club as a volunteer over many
years. She is the current Club Secretary and has served in that role since 2003. With
husband Ray, she is part of the second husband and wife team to be honoured as Life
members.
At the Annual General Meeting of 2006 it was proposed that the membership numbers of Life
Members not be reissued, and in the event of their passing, the membership number should stay
in the immediate family.
On Field Heroes
For 50 years Aspley RLFC has produced footballers from Under 6’s through to Masters, capable
of performing heroic deeds on given days. In their own ways, every player who pulled on an
Aspley jersey and gave the best that he or she could give is a hero. Some players however were
to go on to play at the highest level. Aspley players have gone on to play in A-Ggrade teams in
the BRL and QRL but the following players went even further and qualify as Aspley heroes:
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❖ Trevor Bailey: Trevor, a hooker, graduated from Aspley Juniors to play for St George and
to lead Brothers to an A grade premiership in 1987.
❖ Kurt Baptiste: Kurt was an Australian Schoolboys player and was very successful Broncos’
Toyota Cup player. He moved to Canberra where he has impressed as a hooker and
bench player.
❖ Jason Bakuya: Jason played at Aspley 2000-6. A fine utility player he joined the Sharks in
2007 and made his first-grade debut in 2008. He represented Fiji in the 2008 World Cup.
❖ Dale Copley: A very talented outside back, Dale made his NRL debut with the Broncos in
2009 as a 17 year old. He subsequently signed with the Roosters and Titans.
❖ Robert Grogan: Robert was a contemporary of Trevor Bailey. A five-eighth, he also
played first-grade for Brothers and played NRL for the Gold Coast.
❖ Duncan Hall Junior: After playing Rugby League for Aspley as a youngster Duncan, son of
Rugby League great Duncan Hall went on to play 75 games for the Queensland Reds and
capped a great career by playing with the Wallabies.
❖ Ashley Harrison: Ashley was a star schoolboy and representative footballer before
joining the Broncos in 2000. He went on to play for the Rabbitohs and Roosters before
joining the Titans. An excellent utility player, he played State of Origin for Queensland.
❖ Dumanis Lui: Dumanis and Josh McGuire made a formidable forward pairing in their
junior years at Aspley. He then progressed to the Broncos Toyota Cup team where he
was Player of the Year in 2009. He made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2010 and went
onto play with Manly 2014/15, the Dragons in 2016 and now plays for the Raiders.
❖ Sam Kasiano: Arguably one of Aspley’s biggest products, Sam has become a regular
Bulldogs yard-getter, but has now signed until 2020 for the Melbourne Storm.
❖ Craig McAlpine: Craig attended Aspley High and was an Australian Schoolboys player. A
solid halfback he played first-grade for Penrith before returning to Brothers in Brisbane.
❖ Josh McGuire: Josh played his first game of rugby league as a 13-year-old. He displayed a
great ability and relished the tough stuff. He made his debut for the Broncos in 2009
after being named Best Forward in the Toyota Cup Squad. He went on to play State of
Origin for Queensland and is an Australian and Samoan international player.
❖ Drew Mitchell: Drew played Junior Rugby League for Aspley and Rugby Union for St.
Pats. A utility back he made his debut with the Queensland Reds in 2004 and went on to
become a Wallaby.
❖ Francis Molo: An outstanding Junior and Schoolboy footballer, Francis played for the
Broncos Toyota Cup team before making his Broncos NRL debut.
❖ Dylan Napa: Son of former Norths forward Stan Napa, Dylan’s size and strength won him
a place in the Rooster’s pack and in Queensland’s 2017 State of Origin team.
❖ Jaiden Nikorima: An outstanding Wavell High and Aspley Junior, Jaiden played Toyota
Cub for the Broncos before joining the Roosters NRL Squad.
❖ Kodi Nikorima: Like his younger brother, Jaiden, Kodi shone at Wavell High and Aspley
before becoming a Broncos Toyota Cup player. He has successfully graduated to the
Broncos NRL team as a halfback and bench player and is a New Zealand international.
❖ David Shillington: David played junior football for Aspley and Brothers and attended
Padua. A rugged prop he played for the Sydney Roosters, the Canberra Raiders &
finished his career with the Gold Coast Titians.
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❖ David Stagg: Born in Townsville, David played his junior football with Aspley and made
his debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 2003. His incredible work rate and his versatility
made him a key player in the Broncos outfit. He also played one game of State of Origin
in 2006. He moved to the Bulldogs in 2009 and then came back to see out his career
with the Broncos in 2013. In 2015, after retiring at the seasons end he returned to
Aspley as the current Football and Game Development Manager.
❖ Brad Thorn: Brad played his junior football at Aspley and Wests Arana before joining the
Broncos in 1994. An outstanding footballer, he is Aspley’s most decorated ‘old boy”
having played State of Origin for Queensland and represented Australia in Rugby League
and New Zealand in Rugby Union. He will take on the Head Coaching role at the
Queensland Red’s Rugby Union squad in 2018.
❖ Shane Tronc: Shane also played junior football for Aspley and Wests Arana. He attended
Wavell High School and was an Australian Schoolboys rep. player. He played first-grade
for Redcliffe before moving to the NQ Cowboys and playing in the 2005 grand final
against Wests.
To these names we could add those players who may not have played at the same level but who
played 300 games for Aspley: The players include: Ross Drew, Jeff Hollywood, David Smith, Aaron
Ryan, Aaron Dredge, Mathew Bailey and Jason Lestor. One player Michael Tierney was awarded
a 400-game recognition at the 2017 President’s Dinner having been at the club for a period of 22
years.
Unsung Heroes
And finally, to the many unsung heroes of our Club, the thousands of volunteers who have made
it function over its 50 years. People like Rob Hutton with 15 years of continuous coaching service
up to 2007, and Billy Webber, who has coached over 25 teams in 25 years, winning six
premierships. Coaches, managers, sports trainers, touch judges, committee members, and
parents were the people who made it happen as did the bingo players who literally built the
Club. A quote from Mary Tierney’s 2004 Secretary’s Report encapsulates our debt to the
volunteers:
“The efforts of many, many volunteers are necessary to allow these youngsters to display their
skills and enjoy their football. We do not always say thanks when a manager presents a neatly
written game sheet, when a coach turns up prepared and eager to begin his training session,
when a parent dons the duty official bib, when the linesman signs the card, when the runner
tends an injury, when a parent arrives with neatly folded laundered jerseys, when a trainer takes
over a problem, when a referee returns the game ball, when the ball boy returns a ball from the
creek or when a spectator lends a hand. However, to the hundreds of volunteers out there who
have been an indispensable ingredient in our game, I send my whole-hearted thanks for a job well
done.”
And as it achieves its 50 th year, the Aspley Rugby League Football Club echoes those sentiments.
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Appendix A
Norths Aspley Rugby League Football Club Executive Committee & Life Members
Year President Secretary Treasurer Life Members
1968 R. Dannenberg D. Rose N. Newton
1969 R. Dannenberg D. Rose N. Newton
1970 W McNamara T. Webb N. Newton
1971 H. Kirby (ret) E. Proctor R. Munro N. Newton
1972 E. Proctor A. Scamp N. Newton
1973 E. Proctor A. Scamp E. Bloomfield (ret) R. Munro J. Gleadhill
1974 H. Kirby R. Linkins R. Munro
1975 R. Linkins (ret) K. Rolls A. Scamp R Warman H. Kirby
1976 K. Rolls R. Linkins R. Munro
1977 A. Scamp A. Warburton R. Munro A. Scamp, R. Munro
1978 R. Kelso R. Smith R. Munro R. Dannenberg
1979 R. Kelso R. Smith D. Butterworth N. Phelan
1980 K. Rolls R. Smith D. Butterworth R. Kelso
1981 A. Scamp R. Smith D. Butterworth
1982 K. Rolls R. Smith E. Bloomfield R. Harriss
1983 K. Rolls R. Smith B. O’Donnell K. Rolls
1984 K. Rolls R. Smith G. Nicholls R. Smith
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Norths Aspley Rugby League Football Club Executive Committee & Life Members Cont/.
Year President Secretary Treasurer Life Members
1985 K. Rolls R. Smith G. Nicholls
1986 K. Rolls W. Tolhurst G. Nicholls
1987 K. Rolls W. Tolhurst R. Smith R. Durston
1988 N. O’Brien (ret) G. Browne M. Campbell (Mrs) R. Smith (ret) R. Tolhurst (Mrs) W. Tolhurst
1989 K. Rolls M. Campbell (Mrs) R. Tolhurst (Mrs)
1990 K. Rolls W. Tolhurst R. Tolhurst (Mrs)
1991 K. Rolls W. Tolhurst R. Tolhurst (Mrs) R. Eltherington
1992 K. Rolls W. Tolhurst R. Tolhurst (Mrs)
1993 T. McNamara R. Smith R. Tolhurst (Mrs)
1994 T. McNamara W. Tolhurst R. Tolhurst (Mrs)
1995 T. McNamara W. Tolhurst R. Tolhurst (Mrs)
1996 T. McNamara W. Tolhurst (ret) M. Hill (Mrs) R. Tolhurst (Mrs) (ret) D. Hale T. McNamara
1997 T. McNamara (ret) W. Tolhurst M. Hill (Mrs) D. Hale
1998 D. Hale M. Hill (Mrs) R. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tolhurst
1999 D. Hale (ret) P. Walker M. Hill (Mrs) R. Tierney
2000 P. Walker M. Hill (Mrs) R. Tierney
2001 P. Walker (ret) J. Spletter M. Hill (Mrs) R. Tierney
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Aspley Rugby League Football Club Inc.
Year President Secretary Treasurer Life Members
2002 J. Spletter M. Hill (ret) M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2003 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2004 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney R. Tierney
2005 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2006 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney J. Spletter
2007 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney N. Newton
2008 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) K. Burley (Ms) (ret) C. Pearce (Ms) M. Tierney (Mrs)
2009 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) C. Pearce (Ms)
2010 T.Minehan M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2011 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) P. (Trish) Woodruff
2012 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2013 J. Spletter M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2014 S. Buckley M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2015 S. Buckley M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2016 S. Buckley M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
2017 S. Buckley M. Tierney (Mrs) R. Tierney
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Year
Appendix B - Golden Devil’s Premierships
Teams
1968 Under 13a
1969 Under 8b, Under 12c
1970 Under 7a, Under 7b, Under 9b, Under 13b
1971
1972 Under 11b
1973 Under 15a
1974 Under 10a
1975
1976 Under 10a
1977
1978
1979 Under 9a, Under 13b, Under 14a, Under 15a
1980 Under 18
1981
1982
1983 Under 16
1984 Under 16
1985 Under 14
1986 Under 11a, Under 14
1987
1988
1989 Under 14
1990 Open 3
1991 Under 13, Under 15
1992 Under 14, Under 15
1993
1994
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Year
Teams
Golden Devil’s Premierships Cont/.
1995 Under 12a, Under 12b, Under 14a, Under 15a, Under 16b
1996 Under 15a, Under 17b, Under 18a
1997 Under 14a, Under 18a, Under 21
1998 Under 22
1999 Under 15a
2000
2001
2002
2003 Under 16b
2004 Under 13a, Under 13c
2005 Under 12b, Under 13b, Under 14a, Under 15a
2006 Under 12 Prem, Under 13 Div 4, Under 18 Prem
2007 Under 11 Prem, Under 12 Div 1, Under 12 Div 2, Under 16Prem
2008 Under 13 Div 3, Under 14 Prem
2009 Under 12 Prem, Under 13 Div 3
2010 Under 13 Prem, U13 Div 1, Under 20 North
2011 Under 13 Prem, U12 Div 3
2012 Under 15 Prem
2013 Open Men Northside 3, Open Women
2014 Under 11 Prem, Under 13 Div 3, Under 16 Div 2
2015 Under 15 Div 2, U18 Div 2, Under 18 Girls
2016 Under 11 Div 4
2017 Under 12 Div 2, Under 18 Girls
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Special Awards
Year Mini/Mod Coach Junior / International Coach Club Person
Of the Year Of the Year Of the Year
1997 Bob Skeen Bill Webber Peter Hincks
1998 Steve Treloar Barney Harrison Ray Tierney
1999 Greg Higgins Bill Webber Marcia Hill
2000 Rob Hutton Trevor Gilmeister Donna Walker / Anne Handcock
2001 Rob Hutton Chris Latumahina Tim M c Namara
2002 Dean Lucas Darren Kent Lex Klein
2003 Phil Raywood Troy Bishop James Quinn
2004 Stuart Wilson Chris Charlton Matt Berkeley
2005 Val Pritchard Wes Amos Danielle Quinn
2006 Shane Kiss Sid Doyle Steve Mercer
2007 Stuart Wilson Chris Charlton/Shane Kiss Darren Stock
2008 Rob Wickins Wes Amos Cath Pearce
2009 Stu Wilson / Greg Oliphant Matthew Kratz Darren Stock
2010 Brad Stevens Greg Oliphant Kathy Webber
2011 Grant Young Shane Kiss Stephen Buckley
2012 Dylan Saunders Mick Eeles Rob Coleman
2013 Charlie Yule Bill Haua Darren Stock
2014 Simon Lui Stu Wilson Stu Wilson
2015 Chris Charlton Damien Gillespie Rob Coleman
2016 Tony Lopez Mick Eeles Charlie Yule
2017 Lachlan Mallet Rob Tanielu Haylee Reigos
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